Admitted 7 July, 1520.
This was the last but one of the mitred abbots of the great Benedictine House of Glastonbury before its dissolution. His presence on the list of members seems in this day somewhat of an incongruity; but testifies to the ancient comprehensiveness and eclecticism of the Inns of Court. He was a man of learning and enlightenment, and a friend of Erasmus. He was an architect, and added the chapel of King Edgar to the Abbey, and also lodgings for the secular priests. He also built almshouses, still existing in Glastonbury, and the Manor House of Sharpham, in after times the birth-place of the novelist Fielding (q.v.). He entertained Henry VII. at the Abbey on his expedition against Perkin Warbeck in 1497, and in 1503 was sent to Rome to congratulate Pius III. on his elevation to the papacy. On his return he built the chapels of Our Lady of Loretto and of the Holy Sepulchre in his church. In 1508 he engaged in a controversy with Archbishop Warham respecting the relics of St. Dunstan, which remained unsettled at his death, 20 Jan. 1524.
Admitted 4 August, 1669.
Son of George, eighth Baron Berkeley. He was admitted at the same time as several other famous men, including Jacques du Moulin, "Medicinæ Doctor, amicus carissimus Domini Berkeley." After succeeding to the Barony on the death of his father, 1658, he was one of the Commissioners to the Hague to bring back Charles II., and he performed many other important State functions. In 1677 he was made a Privy Councillor, and in 1679 created Viscount Dursley and Earl of Berkeley. After the flight of James II. he was one of the provisional Government to receive the Prince of Orange. He died 14 Oct. 1698, and was buried at Cranford, Middlesex.
He left behind him a work of a religious character, entitled Historical Applications and Occasional Meditations on several Subjects, published in 1668.
His second son George was admitted 1 Nov. 1667, but afterwards took Holy Orders, and became a Prebendary of Westminster 13 July, 1687. He died in 1694.
Admitted 5 February, 1600-1.
Second son of Rowland Berkeley, a wealthy clothier of Worcester, in which city he was born 26 July, 1584. He was called to the Bar 6 May, 1608. On the death of his father in 1611, he became the possessor of his estate at Spetchley, and in 1613 served as High Sheriff for the county. In 1626 he became Autumn Reader at his Inn, and next year was nominated one of the King's Serjeants. From this time his name appears in the Reports. In 1632 he was knighted, and made a Judge of the King's Bench. In the great trial concerning ship-money, he pronounced his opinion against Hampden, and for this, when the Parliament were in power, he was impeached by the House of Commons, and in Oct. 1641, brought to the Bar of the House of Lords. After proceedings, protracted till 1643, he was condemned on all the charges against him, disabled from all public employments, fined in a sum of £20,000, and sentenced to imprisonment during the pleasure of the House. Half the fine was subsequently remitted, and he was able to continue his private practice, by which he acquired a good fortune for his family. During the time of his disgrace, the Roundheads destroyed his beautiful house at
