John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton

John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton
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Name	John Berkeley
Title	Baron Berkeley of Stratton
Office	Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Term start	1670
Term end	1672
Predecessor	The Earl of Ossory
Successor	The Earl of Essex
Office1	Member of Parliament for Heytesbury
Term start1	1660
Term end1	1660
Predecessor1	Not represented in the Third Protectorate Parliament
Successor1	Sir James Thynne, Henry Hyde
Birth date	1602
Death date	26 August 1678
Death place	Stratton, Cornwall
Spouse	Christian Riccard
Children	4, including Charles
Parents	Sir Maurice Berkeley, Elizabeth Killigrew
Allegiance	England (Royalist)
Branch	Royalist Army
Rank	Lieutenant-General
Battles	English Civil War, Battle of Stratton, Battle of Lansdowne, Battle of Roundway Down, Battle of Cheriton

John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton was a prominent Royalist commander, influential courtier, and colonial proprietor during the 17th century. A steadfast supporter of the House of Stuart, his military service for King Charles I was followed by significant political roles after the Restoration under King Charles II. Berkeley's legacy is also tied to his co-proprietorship of the Province of New Jersey in British America.

Early life and family

John Berkeley was born in 1602, the fifth son of Sir Maurice Berkeley and his wife, Elizabeth Killigrew. He was a member of the influential Berkeley family of Bruton in Somerset, with connections to several powerful West Country dynasties. His elder brother was Sir William Berkeley, who served as the long-time Governor of Virginia. Through his mother's family, the Killigrews, he was related to prominent figures at the royal court, including Henry Carey.

Civil War and military career

At the outbreak of the English Civil War, Berkeley was a committed Royalist. He was appointed Governor of Exeter in 1643 and played a crucial role in the West Country campaign. Berkeley commanded troops at several key engagements, including the Battle of Stratton, the Battle of Lansdowne, and the decisive Royalist victory at the Battle of Roundway Down. His military career, however, faced a setback following the defeat at the Battle of Cheriton in 1644. After the Siege of Exeter in 1646, he surrendered the city to the Parliamentarian forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Role in the Restoration and colonial ventures

Following the execution of King Charles I, Berkeley remained loyal to the exiled Stuart court. He was a close companion of the future Charles II during his exile, particularly in The Hague and Paris. After the Restoration in 1660, his loyalty was rewarded. In 1664, James, Duke of York, granted him and Sir George Carteret the lands between the Hudson River and the Delaware River, which were named the Province of New Jersey in honor of Carteret's defense of Jersey during the war. Berkeley later sold his half-share in 1674 to Edward Byllynge and John Fenwick, Quakers who established the West Jersey colony.

Political career and peerage

Berkeley's political influence grew significantly after 1660. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Heytesbury in the Convention Parliament. For his service, he was created Baron Berkeley of Stratton in the Peerage of England on 19 May 1658, a title granted by the exiled king and confirmed after the Restoration. He held several high offices, including Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1670 to 1672, where he served alongside the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Lord Robartes. He was also appointed to the Privy Council and served as a Lord of the Treasury.

Later life and death

In his later years, Berkeley continued his involvement in colonial affairs and maintained his position at court. He married Christian, daughter of Sir Andrew Riccard, a wealthy merchant and a former East India Company governor. They had four children, including his heir, Charles. John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, died at his estate in Stratton, Cornwall, on 26 August 1678. He was buried in St Margaret's, Westminster.

Category:1602 births Category:1678 deaths John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton Category:English MPs 1660 Category:Lord-Lieutenants of Ireland Category:English colonial governors and administrators Category:People of the Stuart period