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. 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.

He was obliged to pay a fine of £2,030 on 25 August 1646 having been charged that "his house being within three miles of Worcester, he continued to live there while it was held for the king, and was placed on a Commission for the safeguarding of the County, and for raising contributions for the king's forces." Thomas died unmarried in Greece aged 30 while on a diplomatic mission Elizabeth married Henry Greene of Wykin Warwickshire and their eldest son became Rowland Berkeley of Cotheridge Penelope married Sir Thomas Street (1625-1696) a justice of the court of common pleas MP for Worcester 1658-1680 Rebecca married Henry Townsend Mary married Richard Nash and was grandmother to Treadway Nash Margaret married William Bromley (of Holt Castle) (1656–1707), Whig Member of Parliament and was grandmother to Henry Bromley, 1st Baron Montfort.