Rowland Berkeley

Rowland Berkeley (1613–1696) of Cotheridge Worcestershire, was an English politician, only son of William Berkeley (1582–1658) of Cotheridge and his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Chettle of Worcester. Rowland's father, William, was eldest son and heir to Rowland Berkeley of Spetchley, Worcester clothier and politician. He was knighted by Charles I at Whitehall 30 June 1641. Royalist Sir Rowland was one of the Commissioners of Array appointed to call out the Militia in June 1642. The muster rolls were kept at Cotheridge. He was appointed High Sheriff of Worcestershire for 1644–45. He seems to have taken over Cotheridge long before his father died in 1658. Immediately after the Siege of Worcester on 23 July 1646 he had obtained a written pass of safety to his home, Cotheridge, on taking an oath to not again bear arms against Parliament.