Thomas de Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley

Thomas de Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley (c. 1245– 23 July 1321), The Wise, feudal baron of Berkeley, of Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, England, was a peer, soldier and diplomat. His epithet, and that of each previous and subsequent head of his family, was coined by John Smyth of Nibley (d.1641), steward of the Berkeley estates, the biographer of the family and author of "Lives of the Berkeleys".

Origins Thomas de Berkeley was born around 1245 at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, the son of Sir Maurice de Berkeley, feudal baron of Berkeley, by his wife Isabel FitzRoy, a paternal granddaughter of King John (1199-1216) through his bastard son Richard FitzRoy.

Career He fought in the Battle of Evesham in 1265. By his wife he had the following children: Maurice de Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley (April 1271 - 31 May 1326), eldest son and heir. Thomas Berkeley of Coston, Leicestershire, ancestor of the Berkeleys of Wymondham, Leicestershire. John Berkeley (d. circa 1317). James Berkeley (d. 1327), Bishop of Exeter. Alice Berkeley, married Sir Ralph Stourton. Isabel Berkeley. Margaret Berkeley, married Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Baron Desmond

Death and succession He died at Berkeley Castle on 23 July 1321 and was succeeded in his titles by his eldest son Maurice de Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley.