Rowland Berkeley (died 1696) facts for kids

Rowland Berkeley (born 1613, died 1696) was an important English politician from a place called Cotheridge in Worcestershire. He was the only son of William Berkeley and Margaret Chettle. Rowland's father, William, was the oldest son of another Rowland Berkeley, who was a cloth maker and politician from Spetchley. King Charles I made Rowland Berkeley a knight on June 30, 1641, at Whitehall.

Rowland Berkeley and the English Civil War

Sir Rowland was a supporter of the King during the First English Civil War, which happened in England. In June 1642, he was chosen to be a Commissioner of Array. This meant he helped call out the local soldiers, known as the Militia. Records of these soldiers were kept at his home in Cotheridge. He also served as the High Sheriff of Worcestershire from 1644 to 1645.

Life at Cotheridge During the War

It seems Sir Rowland took charge of Cotheridge long before his father passed away in 1658. After the Siege of Worcester on July 23, 1646, he was given a special pass to go home safely to Cotheridge. He had to promise not to fight against the Parliament again.

He was asked to pay a large amount of money, £2,030, on August 25, 1646. This was because his house was close to Worcester, which was held by the King's forces. He continued to live there and was part of a group that helped protect the area and raise money for the King's army.

Rowland's Escape from the Battle of Worcester

Sir Rowland wrote about what happened on the evening of September 3, 1651, during the Battle of Worcester. He said he was brought from Cotheridge to Worcester against his will because he had decided not to get involved in the fighting. He wrote to his father-in-law, Sir Thomas Cave, explaining that a major and some soldiers on horseback brought him to King Charles.

While he was waiting to speak with the King, he found out that he and other gentlemen were given a job to help Major-General Massie, who was the King's governor of Worcester. Sir Rowland managed to escape, got on a horse, and rode home while the battle was already happening. He was caught once by the Scottish soldiers (who were fighting for the King) but managed to get away from them.

Early the next morning, some of the Parliament soldiers arrived at Cotheridge. They took him and his horse as far as St John's Worcester. However, they realized they didn't have orders to take him, so he was allowed to return home.

The Clever Horse Trick

Sir Rowland's great-grandson, Treadway Nash, shared a famous story about him.

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In 1660, King Charles chose Sir Rowland to be part of a special group called the Order of the Royal Oak, but this order was never officially started.

Rowland Berkeley as a Member of Parliament

Sir Rowland Berkeley served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the city of Worcester. He held this important position from 1661 to 1679.

Rowland Berkeley's Family Connections

Rowland Berkeley married Dorothy, who was the daughter of Sir Thomas Cave of Stamford. Dorothy's mother was Elizabeth, who was the sister of Herbert Croft. Herbert Croft was a Bishop of Hereford and also worked for King Charles II. Dorothy's brother, Thomas, was made a baronet by King Charles I on the very same day Rowland Berkeley was made a knight.

Rowland's uncle, Robert Berkeley, was also a Member of Parliament for Worcester from 1621 to 1624.

Rowland Berkeley's Children

Sir Rowland and Dorothy had several children:

• Thomas: He passed away at the age of 30 in Greece while on a special trip for his country. He never married.
• Elizabeth: She married Henry Greene of Wykin, Warwickshire. Their oldest son later became Rowland Berkeley of Cotheridge.
• Penelope: She married Sir Thomas Street (1625-1696). He was a judge and also served as a Member of Parliament for Worcester from 1658 to 1680.
• Rebecca: She married Henry Townsend.
• Mary: She married Richard Nash. Mary was the grandmother of Treadway Nash, who wrote about Sir Rowland.
• Margaret: She married William Bromley (of Holt Castle) (1656–1707). He was a Member of Parliament. Margaret was the grandmother of Henry Bromley, 1st Baron Montfort.