Thomas Berkeley (died 1488)

Berkeley was the eldest son of Laurence Berkeley of Wymondham, Leicestershire, who died in France in 1458, Robert Woodford of Sproxton, Leicestershire, Knight Banneret. ==Career and Life==

Berkeley was a Justice of the Peace for Leicestershire from 1442 to 1458, and Sheriff of Rutland between 1443 and 1444. In December 1457, Berkeley was appointed as one of Leicestershire's Commissioners of Array. The commissioners raised 226 archers to help repel Richard, Duke of York's Yorkist rebellion and again in 1459. The Marmion estate was composed of over 2,500 acres spread over several counties. As well as being an attractive prize, it was owned by way of a complex set of homages and services to multiple overlords. In 1468, Berkeley accused William Purley of entering his land two years earlier and stealing 20 hares, 200 rabbits, 12 pheasants and 20 partridges using swords, bows, and arrows. Purley was either found not guilty or let off for some reason as he appears to have later married Berkeley's daughter Joyce. Berkeley was appointed as Sheriff of Rutland in 1471 and as a Justice of the Peace for Rutland in 1470–1475. Berkeley served in Parliament for Leicestershire between 1472 and 1475. Berkeley died in 1488. He is buried in an alabaster topped altar tomb with his wife Petronella in St Peter's Church, Wymondham. ==Family==

Berkeley married Emma married William Hussey, Chief Justice of the King's Bench. • Edith Berkeley, died 23 October 1538, married Mauncer Marmion, (Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1497) and buried in a tomb together in Rippingale Church. • Joyce Berkeley, died 1530, married William Purley. • a daughter who married someone surnamed Gaton. Berkeley was an ancestor of Henry Berkeley, 1st Baronet of Wymondham. ==Notes==