Biography of Maurice Berkeley 1506-1581

In or before 1506 [his father] Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 35) and [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 25) were married.

Around 1506 Maurice Berkeley was born to Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 36) and Elizabeth Coningsby (age 26).

In 1514 [his father] Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 44) died at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.

In or after 1514 [his step-father] John Fitzjames (age 49) and [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 34) were married; her second husband.

by 1537 Maurice Berkeley (age 31) was a member of Thomas Cromwell's (age 52) household.

In 1539 Maurice Berkeley (age 33) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 47).

In 1541 [his son] Henry Berkeley was born to Maurice Berkeley (age 35) and [his future wife] Catherine Blount (age 23) at Bruton, Somerset.

After 1541 Maurice Berkeley (age 35) and Catherine Blount (age 23) were married.

In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) was appointed Constable of Berkeley Castle.

In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) commanded a troop of light horse in the Italian War of 1542-46.

In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) was appointed Chief Banner Bearer of England succeeding his elder brother [his brother] John Berkeley (age 38).

Before 08 May 1546 [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 66) died.

In 1547 Maurice Berkeley (age 41) was elected MP Somerset.

In 1547 Maurice Berkeley (age 41) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 9).

In Mar 1553 Maurice Berkeley (age 47) was elected MP Bletchingley.

In 1555 [his sister-in-law] Mary Blount (age 57) died.

On 25 Sep 1558 [his sister-in-law] Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 55) died.

On 12 Mar 1560. [Some sources say 25 Feb 1560] [his former wife] Catherine Blount (deceased) died. On 11 Aug 1580 Maurice Berkeley (age 54) died. Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map]. Elizabethan Period recumbent effigies of himself and his two wives Catherine Blount and [his future wife] Elizabeth Sands (age 27) in an Easter sepulchre-type recess with double round arched front, Corinthian pilasters and strapwork panels. Ruff. Panel with quartered arms 1 Berkeley Arms 2 probably Tiptoft Arms, possibly Wotton Arms 3 Unknown Arms 4 probably Babington Arms, possibly Zouche Arms differenced with a label three points, overall a Crescent.

Catherine Blount: John Champernowne and she were married. Around 1518 she was born to William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy and Alice Keble Baroness Mountjoy. After 1541 Maurice Berkeley and she were married. Henry Machyn's Diary. 12 Mar 1560. The xij day of Marche was bered at Dyttun, the wyff of ser Mores Barthelay knyght, with a penon of armes and a iiij dosen of skochyons, and a harold of armes, master Rychemond.

Elizabeth Sands: In 1533 she was born to Anthony Sands of Throwley in Kent. In 1562 Maurice Berkeley and she were married. The difference in their ages was 27 years. On 16 Jun 1585 she died at Berkeley House. She was buried at the St James' Church, Clerkenwell where a monument was constructed. Before 16 Jun 1685 she was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 12 Mar 1560. The xij day of Marche was bered at Dyttun [Map] my [his former wife] lade Barkeley (deceased), the wyff of ser Mores Barthelay (age 54) knyght, with a penon of armes and a iiij dosen of skochyons, and a harold of armes, master Rychemond.

In 1562 Maurice Berkeley (age 56) and Elizabeth Sands (age 29) were married. The difference in their ages was 27 years.

In 1563 Maurice Berkeley (age 57) was elected MP Somerset.

In 1567 Maurice Berkeley (age 61) was appointed High Sheriff of Dorset and High Sheriff of Somerset.

In 1572 Maurice Berkeley (age 66) was elected MP Somerset.

Around 1576 [his son] Henry Berkeley (age 35) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Lygon (age 36) were married.

Before 1581 Maurice Berkeley commissioned the building of Berkeley House.

On 16 Jun 1585 [his former wife] Elizabeth Sands (age 52) died at Berkeley House. She was buried at the St James' Church, Clerkenwell where a monument was constructed.

John Champernowne and Catherine Blount were married.