Maurice Berkeley FRS MP (bef. 1628 - 1690)

Born before 15 Jun 1628 in England

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Lee) Berkeley — married 1 Jan 1648 in Bruton, Somerset, England

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Biography

Baptised on 15 June 1628 Maurice Berkeley was the first born son of Charles Berkeley and his wife, Penelope Godolphin. ^[1]

On 1 January 1649 at Bruton in Somerset he married Anne Lee, ^[2]daughter of Sir Henry Lee Bart. and his wife, Eleanor Wortley.^[1] Her stepfather at the time was Robert Rich, Earl of Warwick, a man of Puritan and Parliamentary sympathies. Maurice took no part in the civil war. Together Maurice and Anne had two daughters ^[1] but his 2 sons were born to his mistress, Mary Rutley. ^[1]

In 1660 Maurice was permitted to go overseas and take to the exiled English court the news that General George Monk and the Council of State had decided on a restoration of the monarchy. As a reward he was created a baronet and given a place in the household of the King's youngest brother, Henry, Duke of Gloucester. ^[1] His position right in the heart of the royal family did not last for the duke died of small pox on the 13th of September. ^[3]However Maurice was returned to Parliament as member for Wells the following year. ^[1] He succeeded his father as 3rd Viscount FitzHardinge on 12 June 1668 ^[4] Because it was an Irish Viscouncy it did not give him as seat in the house of Lords, so he was able to continue his career in the commons, sitting as member for Bath from 1681 until his death. ^[1]

Maurice died on 13 June 1690 and was buried at Bruton. ^[1] He was succeeded in the Viscountcy by his brother John while his baronetcy became extinct. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} History of Parliament online: BERKELEY, Sir Maurice, 1st Bt. (1628-90), of Bruton, Som. and Pall Mall, Westminster
2. ↑ Marriage record Bruton Somerset (1 January 1648 Mr Morice Berkeley married Ann Lee)
3. ↑ Wikipedia: Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester
4. ↑ Wikipedia: Charles Berkeley, 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge
5. ↑ British History online: Bruton

• Wikipedia: Maurice Berkeley, 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge Note that as at 19 May 2020 this article has his grandmother, Elizabeth Killigrew, as his mother

• A genealogical and heraldic history of the extinct and dormant baronetcies ...By John Burke Page 58: Berkeley