The Berkeleys of Berkeley, 1281-1417 : a study in the lesser peerage of late medieval England
This thesis is a study of the Berkeley family through five generations from 1281 to 1417 and attempts to study in depth all the aspects of their lives for which material is available. This is far more abundant for the Berkeley family than for many others in a similar position in the late middle ages which makes them a suitable subject for such study. The first lord in the series is Thomas II (lord 1281-1321) who had a personal association with Edward I manifested in his close involvement in all the most important events of the reign. He virtually retired from active public life during the reign of Edward II and his heir, Maurice III (1321-26), took over as representative of the family. He benefited from the lordship of the earl of Pembroke which brought him several important posts between 1312 and 1318, but he then broke with Pembroke to join the Marcher opposition to the king. He was one of the leaders of the rebels in the Despenser War of 1321-2 and spent the rest of his life imprisoned at Wallingford. His son, Thomas III (1326-61), was married to Mortimer's daughter and consequently played an important role during the Mortimer regime, but suffered an eclipse during the 1330s while undergoing his parliamentary
Harvey, Bridget R.
DA237.B3H2 ; Berkeley (Family of)
The Berkeleys of Berkeley, 1281-1417 : a study in the lesser peerage of late medieval England. This thesis is a study of the Berkeley family through five generations from 1281 to 1417 and attempts to study in depth all the aspects of their lives for which material is available. This is far more abundant for the Berkeley family than for many others in a similar position in the late middle ages which makes them a suitable subject for such study. The first lord in the series is Thomas II (lord 1281-1321) who had a personal association with Edward I manifested in his close involvement in all the most important events of the reign. He virtually retired from active public life during the reign of Edward II and his heir, Maurice III (1321-26), took over as representative of the family. He benefited from the lordship of the earl of Pembroke which brought him several important posts between 1312 and 1318, but he then broke with Pembroke to join the Marcher opposition to the king. He was one of the leaders of the rebels in the Despenser War of 1321-2 and spent the rest of his life imprisoned at Wallingford. His son, Thomas III (1326-61), was married to Mortimer's daughter and consequently played an important role during the Mortimer regime, but suffered an eclipse during the 1330s while undergoing his parliamentary
berkeley study less peerage late_medieval england study berkeley family generation attempt study depth aspect live material_available far abundant berkeley family many others similar position make suitable subject study first lord series thomas lord personal association edward manifest close involvement important_event reign virtually active public_life reign edward heir iii take representative family benefit lordship earl brought several_important post break join opposition king leader rebel war spent rest life son thomas iii marry daughter consequently play_important_role regime suffer eclipse undergoing parliamentary