Berkley, St Mary the Virgin

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Opening Information:

History:

A Minster stood in Berkley before 1066 and much of the present church was built from a 12th Century Norman Church. The Aisles to the North and South of the Nave were built in the 14th Century and the stone Rood screen is 15th Century. The effigies of Thomas Lord Berkley, died 1361 and his second wife Lady Katherine Berkley, died 1385 are in the church. Thomas was lord of Berkley castle when Edward II was held there and murdered in 1327. Katherine founded Katherine Lay Berkley School in Wotton-under-edge and is the oldest school in the country. Katherine founded the Chantry at the East end of the South aisle, near the tomb. Near the windows are 3 recumbent figures and are of 3 of their children who died in infancy, Thomas, Maurice and Edmund.

Vicars:

Effigies:

Alabaster tomb of Thomas Lord Berkley, died 1361 and his second wife Lady Katherine Berkley, died 1385.

Brasses: None