Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley

Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley (c. 1330 – 8 June 1368), The Valiant, feudal baron of Berkeley, of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, was an English peer. His epithet, and that of each previous and subsequent head of his family, was coined by John Smyth of Nibley (died 1641), steward of the Berkeley estates, the biographer of the family and author of "Lives of the Berkeleys".

Restored effigy of Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley, "The Valiant", in St Augustine's Abbey (now Bristol Cathedral), founded by his ancestor. Adjacent at his right hand is the effigy of his mother Margaret Mortimer(died 1337). The arms of Berkeley are shown on his tunic. His head rests on his helm atop which is visible the crest of Berkeley a bishop's mitre
Arms of Berkeley: Gules, a chevron between ten crosses pattée six in chief and four in base argent
Chest tomb supporting restored effigies of Maurice Berkeley, Baron Berkeley(died 1368) "The Valiant", and his mother Margaret Mortimer(died 1337),[1] St Augustine's Abbey (Bristol Cathedral), Lady Chapel, south wall

He was born in Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, the eldest son and heir of Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley by his wife Lady Margaret Mortimer.

In August 1338 Berkeley married Elizabeth le Despenser, daughter of Hugh Despenser the younger by his wife Eleanor de Clare. By Elizabeth he had seven children as follows:

  • Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley (1352/3-1417), eldest son and heir, who married Margaret de Lisle, Baroness Lisle
  • Sir James de Berkeley (born c. 1355 – 13 June 1405) married Elizabeth Bluet; one of their sons was James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley
  • John de Berkeley (c. 1357 – 1381)
  • Maurice de Berkeley (born c. 1358) married Jone Hereford
  • Catherine de Berkeley (born c. 1360)
  • Agnes de Berkeley (born c. 1363)
  • Elizabeth de Berkeley (born c. 1365)

Ancestry

References

  1. Identity of female effigy next to Baron Berkeley according to brass plaque in situ

Sources

  • thepeerage.com Accessed April 21, 2008
  • Richardson, Douglas, Kimball G. Everingham, and David Faris. Plantagenet Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families. Royal ancestry series. (p. 99) Baltimore, Md: Genealogical Pub. Co, 2004. Retrieved April 21, 2008
Peerage of England
Preceded by
Thomas de Berkeley
Baron Berkeley
13611368
Succeeded by
Thomas de Berkeley
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