Berkeley, Charles (1649 -1710)

Charles Berkeley was the son of George Berkeley, 1stEarl of Berkeley, and Elizabeth Massingberd.  From 1661 to 1679 he was known as Sir Charles Berkeley, and from 1679 to 1698 he was styled Viscount Dursley.  He was educated at Christ Church Oxford and Trinity College Cambridge, and received his Master of Arts from Oxford on 28 September 1663.  For the coronation of Charles II he was created a Knight of the Bath, and in 1667 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. 

As Viscount Dursley he followed his father in opposing James II in the Glorious Revolution, and enjoyed a number of appointments thereafter.  In May 1689 he was sent as Envoy Extraordinary to Spain, and on 16 August 1677as Ambassador to the United Provinces. He also received the post of Custos Rotulorum of Gloucestershire, previously held by his father, in July 1689. On 3 May 1694, he was made a Privy Councillor, and on 25 May, was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. In the following year, Dursley became High Steward of the City of Gloucester and Constable of St Briavel's Castle. 

Charles succeeded to the earldom in 1698. In February 1699 he also received his father's office of Custos Rotulorum of Surrey.  In 1702 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Warden of the Forest of Dean.  

On 16 August 1677 he married Hon. Elizabeth Noel, daughter of Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden, and had four sons and three daughters. On his death his titles were passed on to his eldest surviving son, James.

Seat / Residence(s): Berkeley Castle
Stamp(s) Stamp Information
Title: Berkeley, Charles (1649 - 1710) (Stamp 1)
Arms: A chevron between ten quatrefoils six in chief and four in base
Dimensions (height x width): 130mm x 80mm
Coronet: Earl
Heraldic Charges: chevron between, Heraldic Charges: crosses patty (10)