Berkeley Castle was begun in mid 1100s and over the next 300 years expansions and
modifications continued. One of the final additions was the Great Hall measuring 32.5 feet high, 62 feet long, and 32 feet wide, in the fourteenth century. Its magnificent stained glass windows and tapestries depict the various alliances of the family.
In 1327 Edward II, our ancestor, who was being held prisoner in the Berkeley castle, which belonged to the family of Thomas de Berkley, also our ancestor, was murdered (Owsley Newsletter, March 2002 and June 2002). His murder was ordered by our ancestors Queen Isabella and her consort Sir Roger de Mortime. Subsequently Edward’s body was laid to rest at Gloucester Cathedral, but not his ghost which took up residence in the castle.
Today the castle looks much like it did then and our current generational Berkeley Cousins still own an inhabit the castle.
You will find Roger’s ghost at the Nottingham Castle and Isabella’s at the Castle Rising in Norfolk.
