Maurice Berkeley (died 1581)

[3] He built a mansion house on the site of Bruton Priory in Somerset, which he acquired following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, incorporating some of the monastic buildings, but this was demolished in 1786.

Sir Maurice's impressive Renaissance monument, with recumbent effigies of himself and his two wives, survives in the later rebuilt chancel of the Church of St Mary, Bruton.

Although he apparently never studied law at the Inns of Court, his stepfather Sir John FitzJames, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, got him a job "in the office of the Prothonotary of the Common Pleas", and by 1535 wanted to appoint him as clerk to his own circuit.

With his background he was able to redirect his career into the military and commanded "a troop of light horse" in France in 1544 during the Italian War of 1542–46, being knighted on his return.

He had signed the "device" settling the crown on Lady Jane Grey, but was pardoned, losing his position as banner bearer.

Detail of monument to Sir Maurice and his two wives in the Church of St Mary, Bruton , Somerset. Arms: Berkeley quartering Botetourt and Zouche [ 1 ]
Arms of Berkeley: Gules, a chevron between ten crosses pattée six in chief and four in base argent
Arms of Berkeley of Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire: Gules, a chevron ermine between ten crosses pattée six in chief and four in base argent . Also arms of descendants Berkeley of Bruton, Somerset, and of Berkeley of Pylle, Somerset and of Baron Berkeley of Stratton. A difference of Berkeley of Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire
St John's Gate, Clerkenwell , north front, in 1661, depicted by Wenceslaus Hollar . Behind the gate to the right is Berkeley House. [ 5 ]