Maurice Berkeley (died 1581) facts for kids
Sir Maurice Berkeley (born by 1514–died 1581) was an important person in England during the time of the Tudors. He lived in Bruton, Somerset, and also had a home called Berkeley House in Clerkenwell, Middlesex. He served as the Chief Banner Bearer for King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Elizabeth I. This meant he carried the royal banner in battles and ceremonies.
Maurice came from a branch of the famous Berkeley family from Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. His career got a big boost because his mother married Sir John FitzJames. Sir John was a very important judge, the Lord Chief Justice. This connection helped Maurice join the household of Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. Later, he moved into the royal household itself.
He built a large house on the land of an old monastery in Bruton. He got this land after the monasteries were closed down by the King. Sadly, this house was torn down in 1786. However, you can still see his impressive monument in the Church of St Mary, Bruton. It shows statues of him and his two wives. Many of his descendants, known as "Berkeley of Bruton," became famous people. These included governors and noblemen. Today, streets like Berkeley Square and Bruton Street in London are named after his family and their old London home.
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Family Background
Sir Maurice Berkeley was a younger son of Richard Berkeley. Richard lived in Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire. Their family line came from an earlier Sir Maurice de Berkeley, who lived in the 1300s. This older Sir Maurice bought Stoke Gifford in 1337. He started the "Berkeley of Stoke Gifford" family branch.
Later, the family connection to the main Berkeley line was made stronger. Sir Maurice's older brother married a distant cousin. She was the daughter of the Baron Berkeley at that time.
His Career and Rise to Power
Even though Maurice didn't study law, his stepfather, Sir John FitzJames, helped him get a job. He worked in a legal office called the "Court of Common Pleas." By 1537, he was working for Thomas Cromwell, who was a very powerful man in the King's government. This helped Maurice gain land and money.
A year before Cromwell lost power, Maurice joined the royal household. He became a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber for King Henry VIII from 1539 until the King's death in 1547. He continued this role for King Edward VI until 1553.
Maurice also had a military career. In 1544, he led a group of light cavalry (soldiers on horseback) in France. When he returned, he was made a knight. In 1544, he became the Constable of Berkeley Castle. In 1545, he was appointed the Chief Banner Bearer of England. He took over this role from his older brother.
King Henry VIII liked him and left him money in his will. Maurice was a Protestant. When the Catholic Queen Mary ruled, he kept a low profile. He didn't draw much attention to himself. But when Queen Elizabeth, a Protestant, became queen, his career rose again. He had supported Lady Jane Grey for the crown, but he was pardoned. He even lost his banner bearer job for a short time. When a rebellion led by Thomas Wyatt the Younger failed in 1554, Wyatt surrendered to Maurice Berkeley.
Maurice was also a Member of Parliament for Somerset three times (1547, 1563, 1572). He was also an MP for Bletchingley in 1553. He served as a Justice of the Peace in 1559. He was also the Sheriff for both Dorset and Somerset in 1567–68.
Building Berkeley House
Sir Maurice built a large brick mansion called Berkeley House in Clerkenwell, London. He built it shortly before he died. For many years, it was the home of his distant cousin, George Berkeley, 1st Earl of Berkeley.
Later, the area where Berkeley House stood was developed. Today, streets like Berkeley Street (now Briset Street) and others cover the site of this old mansion.
His Marriages and Children
Sir Maurice Berkeley was married two times.
- His first wife was Catherine Blount. She was the daughter of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy. Catherine had been married before. With Catherine, Sir Maurice had three sons and five daughters. One of their sons was:
- Henry Berkeley, who also became a Member of Parliament for Somerset.
- In 1562, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Sands (1533-1585). Elizabeth was one of Queen Elizabeth's gentlewomen. She was the daughter of Anthony Sands. With Elizabeth, he had two more sons and one daughter:
- Robert (1566-1614)
- John
- Margret
Elizabeth died at Berkeley House in Clerkenwell. She was buried in the Church of St James in that area.
Images for kids
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Detail of monument to Sir Maurice and his two wives in the Church of St Mary, Bruton, Somerset. Arms: Berkeley quartering Botetourt and Zouche
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Arms of Berkeley: Gules, a chevron between ten crosses pattée six in chief and four in base argent
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St John's Gate, Clerkenwell, north front, in 1661, depicted by Wenceslaus Hollar. Behind the gate to the right is Berkeley House.
