PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 253 



ransom of prisoners taken by Lord Berkeley, at Poictiers, 

 (1356) but Lord Berkeley's eldest son, Maurice, was taken 

 prisoner there by the French. Why was it that Lord 

 Berkeley did not first ransom his son — was he an un- 

 natural parent, or the son an unsatisfactory person ? 



The Manor next passed to Sir John Berkeley, and 

 remained in that family for over 200 years. It was sold 

 by another Sir John, the last of the Berkeleys of Bever- 

 stone, to Sir John Pointz, in 1579, and successively to 

 Henry Fleetwood, Sir Thomas Earstfield, Sir Michael 

 Hicks, and in 1842 to Mr Holford, whose son. Captain 

 Holford, is the present owner. 



During the early part of the 17th century, Smyth says 

 that the Castle was kept in good repair, and was " often 

 " inhabited by the Lord thereof; " but by 1840 it had become 

 a farm house, for Nicholas Shipway (farmer) of the Castle 

 was buried on August 27th, 1640. Subsequently, during 

 the Civil Wars, the Castle was a point of contention 

 between the opposing forces, its position being important 

 for strategic reasons. It was held first by the Royahsts in 

 1643-4, but Colonel Massey determined, if possible, to take 

 it. 



There is an interesting and somewhat amusing account 

 of his first endeavour in this direction : — 



" Colonel Massey brought up his men and two sakers 

 " against Beverstone Castle, when having surrounded it he 

 " planted his guns within pistol shot of the gate and gave 

 " fire several times." 



" Fifty musketeers ran up to the gates at noonday and 

 " fixed a petard, which nevertheless failed in execution." 



" Those from within threw grenades amongst our men, 

 " but hurt none, who, although thereby forced from the 

 " gate, ran up a second time, being open to the full shoot 

 " of a secure enemy, and brought of the petard with much 

 " gallantry.'' 



