Feudal Barons of Berkeley
The feudal barony of Berkeley was created in c.1155, when King Henry II granted the royal castle of Berkeley to Robert Fitzharding under the feudal land tenure per baroniam. Prior to that time the castle had been held in fee-farm by Roger I "de Berkeley", a Norman noble, possibly a son of Roger I of Tosny(d. circa 1040), who acquired the surname "de Berkeley". He held extensive lands, including Dursley, in-chief of the king in 1086, as recorded by Domesday Book. He retired as a monk to St Peter's Abbey, Gloucester, in about 1091. His son Roger II(d. about 1131) and grandson Roger III(d. post 1177) also held the manor of Dursley in-chief of the king. In 1152 Roger III was deprived of the farm of Berkeley during the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud. He was later restored to Dursley, and founded the family of "Berkeley of Dursley", but Berkeley Castle was granted by barony to Robert FitzHarding, a native Englishman and royal financier of Bristol, whose family also took the name "de Berkeley". To restore the ill-feelings of Roger of Dursley, Henry II encouraged the two families to inter-marry their respective male heirs to the eldest daughters of the other, which was successfully accomplished.
- Robert Fitzharding, 1st feudal Baron Berkeley (d.1170/1) Robert the Devout
- Maurice FitzRobert FitzHarding, 2nd feudal Baron Berkeley (c.1120–1190/1) (otherwise "Maurice I de Berkeley") Maurice the Make-Peace
- Robert de Berkeley, 3rd feudal Baron Berkeley (c.1165–1220) Robert the Rebellious
- Thomas I de Berkeley, 4th feudal Baron Berkeley (c.1170–1243) Thomas the Observer or Temporiser
- Maurice II de Berkeley, 5th feudal Baron Berkeley (1218–1281) Maurice the Resolute
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