Featured Post

||| LINK to author's Amazon page

Monday, July 26, 2010

Baron Thomas de Berkeley & Margaret de Mortimer

2954872. Baron Thomas de Berkeley & 2954873. Margaret de Mortimer

1296, Thomas born in England, heir & s/o 1249354. Maurice de Berkeley & 1249355. Eve la Zouche.

~1308, Margaret born in England, eldest d/o 1249358. Roger de Mortimer & 1249359. Joan de Geneville.

6/24/1314, Thomas and his father at the battle of Bannockburn on the losing side of King Edward II.

1317, Thomas a member of the retinue of Roger de Mortimer against the Scots.

[––Thomas & Margaret––]

5/10/1319, Thomas married to Margaret. Her maritagium included £2000 in money. Roger de Mortimer settled on Thomas and Margaret half of the manor of Awre [the other half already acquired by his father Maurice], which was opposite Berkeley on the other side of the Severn river.

3/7/1320, Thomas de Berkeley, his brother Maurice, with John Mautravers pardoned for arresting the king’s coroners in Gloucester.

1320, Maurice de Berkeley, Seneschal of Gascony, traveled to France with his sons Thomas and Maurice, and with son-in-law John Mautravers.

3/16/1321, Thomas taken prisoner at the Battle of Boroughbridge in Yorkshire; fighting with Thomas, Earl of Lancaster and the Marcher Lords, against King Edward II and the Dispensers. The rebel forces of about 700 knights and men-at-arms, against about 4,000 in in the royal forces. An effective use of longbow against calvary.

5/10/1321, Thomas son of Maurice de Berkele and Margaret his wife (by Richard de Salle); and Thomas de Luda and Margaret his wife. Final concorde. ... in Chelreye. (S) UKNA.

5/28/1322, Commission of oyer and terminer to … that … Thomas de Berkele, … Maurice son of Maurice de Berkele, and Thomas son of Maurice de Berkele, with others, entered the manors … took and led away horses … other trespasses. (S) CPRs.

1322-26, Thomas de Berkeleye. Berkeley requests remedy as the rent from a fishery which his father granted to him has been withheld since the lands of Maurice de Berkeley were taken into the king's hand. (S) UKNA.

4/1/1324, Safe conduct … sheriff of Southampton, appointed to conduct Joan, wife of Roger de Mortuo Mari of Wigemore, [to the castle of Skipton in Cravene, co. York] … [daughter] Margaret to the priory of Shuldham, co. Norfolk, …. (S) CPRs.

5/1326, Thomas’ father died while imprisoned by King Edward II. Thomas age 30.

9/24/1326, Roger de Mortimer and Queen Isabella invaded England, landing at Ipswich, joining up with Henry, Earl of Lancaster and other opponents of the Despensers.

10/16/1326, Thomas released from Pevensey castle by usurping Roger de Mortimer and Queen Isabella. [Thomas’ family members were also released. Thomas’ father-in-law, who was also his 2nd cousin, was Queen Isabela’s lover.] Thomas was restored the right to Berkeley castle; and the Queen sent great quantities of wheat, oats, and other provisions [taken from nearby lands] to fortify the castle.

11/16/1326, King Edward II and others captured in Glamorgan, Wales hiding in Neath abbey.

1/24/1327, Edward III, age 14, succeeded Edward II as King of England.

2/1/1327 at Westminster, Edward III, age 14, crowned king of England.

2/28/1327, Thomas did Homage upon his oath, that he holdeth of the King … service of 3 knights fees. (S) Journals of the House of Lords, V60, 1828, P494.

3/21/1327, Thomas, and his brother-in-law John Mautravers, received charge of deposed King Edward II from Henry of Lancaster. Removed from Kenilworth, Edward was taken to Berkeley castle.

4/3/1327, Thomas and John Mautravers, by indenture, received joint and equal liability for deposed King Edward II, who was imprisoned at Berkeley castle. John and Thomas were to be given £5 a day for expenses [the annual expenses for most knights.]

4/30/1327, Writ for aid for Thomas de Berkele, Maurice de Berkele and John Maltravers, whom the king is sending to the castle of Bristol for armour, etc., to be used in the northern parts. (S) CPRs.

6/8/1327, Isabel widow of Sir Maurice de Berkele and Sir Thomas de Berkele, her dear son, son and heir of Maurice. Whereas Thomas has granted to her the manors of Wotton and of Symondeshale, with the market town of Wottone, and a rent of £23 for her life from the manor of Bedemenystre for dower, Isabel has quitclaimed to Thomas all actions of dower. (S) UKNA.

7/3/1327, Thomas exempted from serving in the Scottish campaign because he was “charged with special business of the king.”

7-8/1327, Thomas charged with hunting down and arresting men responsible for trying to free King Edward II.

9/21/1327, King Edward II [supposedly] murdered at Berkeley castle. Thomas wrote letters to both King Edward III and his mother Queen Isabella informing them that King Edward II had died. [Interestingly Thomas and John continued to be given £5 a day for expenses while looking after the body.]

1327-28, Thomas was arrested and put into the custody of Ralph de Neville. Thomas was released after 12 knights swore he was at Bradley and extremely ill at the time Edward II died. [Other evidence indicates this is likely not the truth – his father-in-law was the Queen’s lover.]

3/1328, Thomas and Margaret began living as husband and wife.

1328, Thomas with King Edward III in an expedition against the Scots.

1329, Thomas 1st summoned to parliament.

1329, Thomas confirmed by the King with the Castle and Berkeley Hernesse, with a market on any day of his choosing, and a mint with “a moneyer of his own.”

1329, Thomas’ step-mother released Portbury manor and hundred to him, which were being held in dower.

4/25/1330, at Beverstone, Quitclaim of John Inge, knight, to Thomas, lord of Berkeley and Margaret, his wife. Manors of Beverstone and Over. Witnesses: John Mantravers jun., Maurice de Berkeley, John de Beaumond, knights, Robert de Aston … (S) UKNA.

1330, “Thomas de Berkeley, Son and Heir of Maruice de Berkeley of Berkeley, who oweth to the King a reasonable Relief for all Lands … which the said Maurice his Father held of King Edward, Father of the now King, in Caite, … Service of 3 Knights Fees … ready thereupon to make Relief … Thomas de Berkeley his Grandfather held certain Lands … which … Robert Fitz Harding and Robert Fitz Maurice de Berkeley his Ancestor … of the Service of 5 Knights Fees of the Gift and Grant of King Henry the Second … 100 marks for his Relief …” (S) Journals of the House of Lords, V60, 1828, P494.

11/26/1330 at parliament, Roger de Mortimer, Thomas de Berkeley, Thomas Gurney, William Ockley, and Simon Bereford accused of the murder of King Edward II. [Note that John Mautravers was not indicted.] Thomas was tried and acquitted by a jury of 12 knights for his complicity in the murder. Thomas was indicted on a minor charge of appointing Thomas Gurney and William Ockley, who were convicted, to watch the king.

1331, Thomas, Sheriff of Gloucestershire, given money for an old debt owed to him by King Edward II, purchased, with his brother Maurice, large land holdings including Beverstone castle and manor, and the manors of Over and Monewdon, Suffolk, from Sir Thomas Apadam.

5/20/1335, The prioress and convent of Barrow; and Sir Thomas lord of Berkelee. Thomas has quitclaimed to the convent the fold (of sheep), and they will celebrate annually on the last day of May for the anniversary of Sir Maurice de Berkelee, Thomas's father, and on 5 Dec. for the anniversary of Lady Eve his mother, for the anniversaries of himself and Margaret his wife, and will pay 2s. 6d. for a pittance on the anniversary of Maurice, and the same for the anniversaries of Eve, Thomas and Margaret. (S) UKNA.

1335, John Mautravers “the king’s enemy” returned to England and met, among others, Thomas and Maurice de Berkeley, William Montacute, and John Moleyns.

1336, Thomas, Chief Warden of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire.

1336, Thomas’ younger brother John died, Thomas receiving John’s inheritance [which was significantly held in dower until after his stepmother’s death.]

3/16/1337, “Judgement given by the king in his Parliament held at Westminster on Monday after the feast of St. Matthias the Apostle that Thomas de Berkeleye is guiltless of any part in the death of Edward II.”

5/5/1337, Margaret died; buried at St. Augustine’s, Bristol.

[––Thomas––]

6/15/1337 at Berkeley, (1) Thomas lord of Berkele; (2) John de Clyve; (3) Isabel widow of Sir Maurice de Berkele (Thomas's father) and Thomas son of Thomas. Thomas has appointed John to deliver to Isabel and Thomas the younger seisin of all his lands and holdings in Falefeld, which he had by grant of William Payn. (S) UKNA.

1338, Thomas sold holdings at Childrey, Berks [purchased in 1320] to Nicholas de la Beche. (S) UKNA, BCM.

1340, Thomas, Marshall of the English Army in France.

1342, Thomas, Captain of the Scottish Marches.

1342, Thomas rebuilt the great high tower in the north part of the keep of Berkeley castle at a cost of £108.3s.1.25d.

10/13/1343 at Westminster, Thomas son of Maurice de Berkele, knight, and William de Syde; and Elias de Aylbrighton and Joan his wife. Final concord concerning the manor of Barwe; … (S) UKNA.

1/27/1344, Thomas son of Maurice de Berkele, knight; and Elias de Aylbrighton and Joan his wife. Final concord … the manors of Beverston and Ovre … (S) UKNA.

1345, Thomas received a papal indult for plenary remission.        

8/26/1346, Thomas a commander of the English  forces at the battle of Crecy.

5/30/1347, Thomas married 2nd widow Katherine de Clivedon (15210347). [4 sons.]

12/2/1347, King Edward III and Thomas de Berkeley. The king has granted to Thomas licence to hold two fairs a year at Newport, near Berkeley, viz. the eve, day and morrow of the translation of St. Thomas, and the eve, day and morrow of St. Maurice. Witnesses: … William de Bohun, earl of Northampton, Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel, ... Thomas Wake of Liddel, … (S) UKNA.

4/20/1348, Thomas de Berkeley and St. Augustine's Abbey. Thomas has granted 2 messuages and 20s. rent to a chaplain to sing in St. Augustine's Abbey for the soul of Margaret his wife and for himself, with conditions on the behaviour of the chaplain. … Witnesses: Sir Maurice de Berkeley, the grantor's eldest son, Sir Thomas de Bradeston, Sir John de Acton, Sir Simon Basset, … (S) UKNA.

1348, The Black Death entered the west countryside of England [likely entering through Bristol].

12/2/1348, Thomas granted a fair at Newport, Gloucestershire. (S) Gaz. of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales to 1516.

1/10/1349, Licence for Thomas de Berkele to enfeoff … reminders to Maurice de Berkele, his son, in tail male, … and Katharine, his wife. (S) CPRs.

1/18/1349, [And by Deeds of Feoffement the same year, and a fine levied at Easter] Thomas Lord Berkeley by virtue of the King’s Licence entailed the Castle of Berkeley, and the Manor … on himself for life ; Remainder to the Maurice de Berkeley his Son, in Tail Male ; Remainder to the Heirs Male of the said Thomas by Katherine his second wife ; Remainder to his own right Heirs. (S) Journals of the House of Lords, V60, 1828, P494.

4/22/1349, Maurice de Berkeley, son of Sir Thomas de Berkeley, and the hospital of Holy Trinity of Longbridge near Berkeley. Maurice has granted to the hospital an annual rent of 2s. 6d. due from … manor of Hamme, …; and the hospital will distribute 1d. to the chaplain, 2d. among the clerks and 6d. among the poor on the anniversaries of Margaret, Maurice's mother, and of Maurice, and 1d. to the chaplain, 2d. among the clerks and 13d. among the poor on the anniversaries of his wife Elizabeth, of Katherine lady of Berkeley, and of Sir Nicholas de Poyns. (S) UKNA.

6/23/1350 at Berkeley, Maurice de Berkelee, knight, and his lord Sir Thomas lord of Berkelee, his father. Maurice has granted to Thomas, for Maurice's life, an annual rent of £100 from Maurice's manor of Portbur'. (S) UKNA.

7/25/1351 at the Tower of London, King Edward III and Thomas son of Maurice de Berkelee, knight. The king has granted licence to Thomas to grant the advowson of Aure, held in chief, to Llanthony Priory, in exchange for the manor of Coueleye. (S) UKNA.

12/25/1351 at Westminster. King Edward III and Thomas son of Maurice de Berkeley. The king has pardoned Thomas for acquiring from Geoffrey de Gascelyn, for life, the manors of Shulden, Chippenham and Lolledon, and the hundreds of Chippenham, Bisshopeston and Donlewe, at a rent of 20 marks a year for the first 2 years, £20 a year for the following 5 years, and £100 a year thereafter until the end of Thomas's life. (S) UKNA.

4/1354, Thomas de Berkeleye the elder and Katherine his wife, and Walter Goldemere and John de Clyve, concerning the castle and manor of Beverstone. (S) UKNA, Later ratified by son Maurice.

4/7/1353,

1355, Thomas acquired 6 manors; and arranged a complicated marriage agreement with Sir Ralph de Middleney whereby the reversion of Middleney's inheritance of 4 manors and associated holdings in Somerset were settled on Thomas's younger sons after his death. [Thomas had previously acquired 8 manors.]

11/20/1360, Thomas called to parliament for the last time.

7-8/1361, Thomas sent on an embassy to Pope Innocent VI.

10/27/1361, Thomas, “the Rich”, 3rd Lord Berkeley of Gloucestershire died; buried in Berkeley Church.

[––Katherine––]

1362, IPM of Thomas. Died seized of the Castle … Maurice his Son his next Heir Male, by Margaret his Wife, under the Entail, and of the Age of Thirty Years and upwards ; and that the Castle and Manor of Beverston belonged to John his son, by Katherine his second wife, by virtue of an Entail. (S) Journals of the House of Lords, V60, 1828, P494.

4/1363, Katherine recovered against her son John (age 11) her dower of Syde manor and in holdings in Westonbirt, Down Hatherley, Leckhampton and Bentham.

(S) Magna Carta Ancestry, P72. (S) UKNA, BCM.

Family notes:

·         1384, Katherine, Lady Berkeley, found a Chantry in the parish for a Chaplain and his successor perpetually to pray at the altar of St. Andrew for the good estate of herself and of Thomas, Lord Berkeley and the Lady Margaret his wife.

Children of Thomas and Margaret: [4 sons, 1 daughter]

i. Maurice de Berkeley (1477436), born ~1325 in England.

ii. Thomas de Berkeley, born ~? in England.

6/15/1337 at Berkeley, (1) Thomas lord of Berkele; (2) John de Clyve; (3) Isabel widow of Sir Maurice de Berkele (Thomas's father) and Thomas son of Thomas. Thomas has appointed John to deliver to Isabel and Thomas the younger seisin of all his lands and holdings in Falefeld, which he had by grant of William Payn. (S) UKNA.

4/7/1353, Thomas son of Maurice de Berkele, Katherine his wife and Thomas their son; and Thomas de Besseford, parson of Beverston, Roger de Estham … the manors of Ovre and Kyngesweston, which William de Side holds for life; Thomas and Roger have granted the reversion after William's death to Thomas and Katherine, and Thomas and the male issue of Thomas the son … (S) UKNA.

iii. Joan de Berkeley, born by 1337 in England. (S) UKNA, BCM.

1337, Joan married to Thomas, son and heir of John de Haudlo & Maud Burnell.

1342, Joan married 2nd to Reginal Cobham.

Children of Thomas and Katherine:

iv. Maurice de Berkeley, the younger, born aft. 1347 in England

1355, Ralph de Middelneye, knight, … to settle the manor and hundred of Poorstock (Dorset), the manor of Nether Ham, half the manor of Exton, and the advowson of the church of Exton (Somers.), on themselves and the heirs of their bodies, with remainder to Maurice, younger son of Thomas de Berkelee of Berkeley, the elder, knight, Katharine daughter of John son of Ralph de Middelneye, and the heirs of their bodies, remainder to the said Thomas, Katharine his wife. (S) UKNA.

v. John de Berkeley, born 1352 in England.

1362, IPM of Thomas. Died seized of the Castle … Maurice his Son his next Heir Male, by Margaret his Wife, under the Entail, and of the Age of Thirty Years and upwards ; and that the Castle and Manor of Beverston belonged to John his son, by Katherine his second wife, by virtue of an Entail. (S) Journals of the House of Lords, V60, 1828, P494. [John’s lands at his father’s death were worth over £300 yearly. (S) UKNA, BCM.]


No comments:

Followers