Berkeley Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berkeley Castle |
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| Berkeley, Gloucestershire | |
Berkeley Castle viewed from the southwest
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 Berkeley Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°41′19″N 02°27′25″W / 51.68861°N 2.45694°W grid reference ST685989 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name | Berkeley Castle |
| Designated | 21 October 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1340692 |
Berkeley Castle is a very old and famous castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. It has been around since the 11th century! This amazing building is considered a Grade I-listed building by English Heritage, meaning it's super important historically.
For hundreds of years, the castle has been home to the Berkeley family. They rebuilt it in the 12th century and have lived there ever since, except for a short time when the Tudor kings and queens owned it.
A sad and famous event happened here in 1327. Many people believe that King Edward II was murdered at Berkeley Castle.
Today, Berkeley Castle is open to visitors from April to November on certain days. You can explore its history and even rent it for special events. It's a truly unique place!
Contents
Building a Historic Stronghold
The very first castle at Berkeley was a simple motte-and-bailey design. It was built around 1067 by William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford right after the Norman Conquest. This early castle was owned by three generations of the first Berkeley family.
However, the last Roger de Berkeley lost the castle in 1152. This happened because he didn't support the House of Plantagenet during a time of conflict called the Anarchy. The castle was then given to Robert Fitzharding. He was a rich merchant from Bristol and a strong supporter of the Plantagenets.
Robert Fitzharding and his wife, Eva fitz Harding, started the Berkeley family that still owns the castle today. In 1153–54, King Henry II gave Fitzharding permission to rebuild the castle.
Fitzharding built the round shell keep between 1153 and 1156. This was probably on the same spot where the old motte (a large mound) used to be. The strong curtain wall was built next, likely between 1160 and 1190. Robert and then his son, Sir Maurice Berkeley, oversaw this work.
Much of the rest of Berkeley Castle was built in the 14th century. This was done for Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley. He added Thorpe's Tower, the inner gatehouse, and other buildings inside the main courtyard.
The Mystery of King Edward II
In 1326, Berkeley Castle was attacked by the forces of Hugh Despenser the Younger. He was a close friend of King Edward II. Then, in 1327, King Edward was removed from power by his wife, Queen Isabella, and her ally, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March.
Edward was brought to Berkeley Castle and held there for five months. During this time, some of Edward's supporters tried to rescue him. They even got into the castle, but Edward was caught again soon after.
Historical records say that King Edward II was murdered at the castle on September 21, 1327. The official story told to Parliament was that he died in an accident. However, many historians believe great efforts were made to keep the murder a secret.
Edward's body was prepared and stayed at Berkeley Castle for a month. It was kept in the Chapel of St John inside the castle keep. Later, Thomas de Berkeley took the body to Gloucester Abbey for burial. Thomas was later accused of being involved in the murder. But he said it was done by Roger Mortimer's agents while he was away. In 1337, he was cleared of all charges.
Life Through the Centuries
Berkeley Castle has a long and interesting history after the time of Edward II.
In 1384, Katherine, Lady Berkeley started Katharine Lady Berkeley's School. It was unusual for a woman to found a school back then. Lady Berkeley was one of the first in England to create a fully supported school.
The Great Hall of the castle got a new roof in the 14th century. It's said that the last court jester in England, Dickie Pearce, died here. He fell from the minstrels' gallery. His tomb is in the churchyard next to the castle.
A fight over who owned Berkeley Castle led to a battle called the Battle of Nibley Green. This was between Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle, and William Berkeley, 1st Marquess of Berkeley.
King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn visited Berkeley Castle in August 1535. Later, in the late 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I also visited. She even played bowls on the castle's bowling green.
During the First English Civil War, the castle was held by soldiers loyal to the King. But in 1645, a Parliamentarian army captured it after a short siege. Cannonballs were even fired from the nearby church roof!
After the siege, the castle walls were left damaged. The Berkeley family was allowed to keep the castle. However, they had to promise never to repair the damage to the Keep and Outer Bailey. This rule is still in place today!
In the early 18th century, the 4th Earl of Berkeley planted a pine tree. It was said to have grown from a cutting taken from a tree at the Battle of Culloden.
The castle is the third-oldest continuously lived-in castle in England. Only the Tower of London and Windsor Castle are older. It is also the oldest castle to be continuously owned and lived in by the same family. The castle even has an antique four-poster bed. It's believed to be the oldest piece of furniture continuously used by the same family in Great Britain!
Berkeley Castle Today
On Screen and In Stories
Berkeley Castle has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows. It was used for scenes in the 2003 television film The Other Boleyn Girl.
More recently, the castle and its grounds were used for outdoor shots of a castle in the TV show Galavant. In 2019, the castle was also used for filming Season 2 of The Spanish Princess.
The castle was also featured in an episode of the TV show Who Do You Think You Are? in 2017. American actress Courteney Cox learned about her family history on the show. She found out she is a direct descendant of Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley. She also learned about his connection to the death of King Edward II.
Two Royal Navy ships have been named Berkeley Castle. A Great Western Railway steam locomotive was also named after the castle.
Images for kids
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Berkeley Castle's shell keep and inner gatehouse, viewed from the outer bailey
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Berkeley Castle's terrace now turfed and planted as a wall garden
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The courtyard of Berkeley Castle in the 1840s
See also
