Rowland Berkeley (died 1611)
Rowland Berkeley (about 1548 – 1 June 1611) of Worcester and Spetchley was an English clothier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1593 and 1611.
![](../I/All_Saints_Church%252C_Spetchley%252C_Worcestershire_-_geograph.org.uk_-_449776.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Spetchley_Hall_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1438103.jpg.webp)
Berkeley was the eighth son of William Berkeley, mayor and MP for Hereford, great-nephew of William, 1st Marquess of Berkeley.
Worcester and Spetchley
Rowland Berkeley became a successful clothier at Worcester. He bought Spetchley Park from Philip Sheldon.[1] He was bailiff of Worcester in 1585 and 1587. He was appointed first master of the Clothers Company of Worcester under the Clothers Charter of 23 September 1590.[2] After his death his eldest son acquired extensive property in Cotheridge.
House of Commons
In 1593, he was elected Member of Parliament for Worcester. He was re-elected MP for Worcester in 1597 and 1601. In 1605 he was elected MP for Worcester again in a by-election and sat until his death in 1611.[2]
Family
Berkeley married 15 April 1574 Catherine Hayward, daughter of Thomas Hayward.[2] Their children[3] included:
- William Berkeley (1582–1658) of Cotheridge
- Robert Berkeley (1584–1656) of Spetchley
- Dorothy, eldest daughter, who married in 1593 Thomas Wylde (1558–1610, grandson of Thomas Wylde) of The Commandery and was mother of Margaret, who married Samuel Fell
- Joan, sixth daughter, who married firstly Henry Bright and secondly Edward Annesley
References
- Billings Directory 1855
- W R Williams Parliamentary History of the County of Worcester
- Burke, John (1835). A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 2. Henry Colburn. p. 228. Retrieved 27 August 2019.