Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle (/ˈbɑːrkli/ BARK-lee; historically sometimes spelled as Berkley Castle or Barkley Castle) is a castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. The castle's origins date back to the 11th century, being designated by English Heritage as a Grade I-listed building.[1]
For the castle of the same name in West Virginia in the United States, see Samuel Taylor Suit Cottage.Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle
21 October 1952
The castle, traditionally believed to have been the scene of the murder of King Edward II in 1327,[2][3] has remained in the possession of the Berkeley family since they reconstructed it in the 12th century, except for a period of royal ownership under the Tudors.[4]
The Berkeley barony having separated from the earldom in 1882, the 8th and last Earl of Berkeley (1865–1942) bequeathed the ancestral seat[5] to his 13th cousin, Captain Robert Berkeley, of Spetchley Park, Worcestershire (1898–1969), whose grandson, Charles Berkeley (born 1968),[6] High Sheriff of Gloucestershire for 2019/20,[7] inherited the castle and estate from his father, Major John Berkeley (1931–2017).[8][9]
Since 1956, Berkeley Castle has been open to visitors (for a fee) and remains open from April to November (in 2023) on certain days of the week. The property has also been available for rent for private events.[10]
In modern culture[edit]
Berkeley Castle was used for many scenes for the 2003 television film of The Other Boleyn Girl.[34] More recently the castle and grounds have been used for the external shots of the Valencian castle in Galavant.[35] In 2019, the castle – both interior and exterior – was used as a filming location for Season 2 of The Spanish Princess.[36]
The castle is featured in an episode of the 2017 season of the genealogy documentary television series Who Do You Think You Are?, when American actress Courteney Cox learnt of her ancestry. Cox was informed that she is a 21-generation direct descendant of Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley and 22-generation descendant of Lord Berkeley's father-in-law, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, also learning of their parts in the murder of King Edward II of England in 1327.[37] The Castle's website lists additional productions which have completed some filming there.[38]
Two Royal Navy ships have been named Berkeley Castle after the Earls of Berkeley,[39] as was a Great Western Railway steam locomotive.[40]