A catalogue of notable Middle Templars, with brief biographical notices/Berkeley, Sir Robert
Admitted 5 February, 1600-1.
Second son of Rowland Berkeley, a wealthy clothier of Worcester, in which city he was born 26 July, 1584. He was called to the Bar 6 May, 1608. On the death of his father in 1611, he became the possessor of his estate at Spetchley, and in 1613 served as High Sheriff for the county. In 1626 he became Autumn Reader at his Inn, and next year was nominated one of the King's Serjeants. From this time his name appears in the Reports. In 1632 he was knighted, and made a Judge of the King's Bench. In the great trial concerning ship-money, he pronounced his opinion against Hampden, and for this, when the Parliament were in power, he was impeached by the House of Commons, and in Oct. 1641, brought to the Bar of the House of Lords. After proceedings, protracted till 1643, he was condemned on all the charges against him, disabled from all public employments, fined in a sum of £20,000, and sentenced to imprisonment during the pleasure of the House. Half the fine was subsequently remitted, and he was able to continue his private practice, by which he acquired a good fortune for his family. During the time of his disgrace, the Roundheads destroyed his beautiful house at Spetchley, burning it to the ground. He died 5 Aug. 1656. Whitelocke (q.v.), though, of course, a political opponent, confesses him to be not only a very learned man, but "a good orator and judge, and moderate in his ways."