Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley

Restored effigy of Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley, "The Valiant", in St Augustine's Abbey (now Bristol Cathedral), founded by his ancestor. Adjacent at his right hand is the effigy of his mother Margaret Mortimer(died 1337). The arms of Berkeley are shown on his tunic. His head rests on his helm atop which is visible the crest of Berkeley a bishop's mitre

Maurice de Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley (c. 1320 – 8 June 1368), The Valiant, feudal baron of Berkeley, of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, was an English peer. His epithet, and that of each previous and subsequent head of his family, was coined by John Smyth of Nibley (died 1641), steward of the Berkeley estates, the biographer of the family and author of "Lives of the Berkeleys".

Career He was the eldest son and heir of Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley by his wife Lady Margaret Mortimer.

In the early 1340s he was one of the English knights who joined the forces of Alfonso XI of Castile in his crusade against the Moorish kingdom of Algeciras. He was subsequently retained by the Black Prince and in 1355 joined his campaign in France. Wounded and captured at Poitiers, it took him over three years to raise the money for his ransom. Ill health apparently prevented his taking an active role in public life, following his return to England.

Marriage and children In August 1338 Berkeley married Elizabeth le Despenser, daughter of Hugh Despenser the younger by his wife Eleanor de Clare. By Elizabeth he had four sons and three daughters: Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley Sir James de Berkeley (d. 13 June 1405) married Elizabeth Bluet; one of their sons was James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley John de Berkeley died on campaign in France in the reign of Richard II Maurice de Berkeley married Jone Hereford Catherine became a nun at Wherwell Abbey in Hampshire Agnes died unmarried Elizabeth died unmarried

Ancestry