The Beauchamp Chapel, Church of St Mary, Warwick, 

and the Berkeley connection.

Talk to the Friends on Sunday 19th November

Henry Phythian-Adams gave his fellow Friends another fascinating illustrated talk, the subject this time being the Beauchamp Chapel in Warwick Collegiate Church.   

Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, was the husband of Elizabeth Berkeley and he founded the lavishly decorated chapel in 1439 as a Chantry Chapel, where priests would pray for the souls of himself and other members of his family. 

Henry shared his photographs of the family tombs and the incredibly detailed iconography, in both carvings and stained glass.  The clothes on some carvings were copied from medieval Mystery Plays and angels in stained glass hold pages of authentic music.

It is in this richly detailed chapel that the well-known Bear & Ragged Staff symbol of the Beauchamp family was depicted for only the second time:  this can be seen in the stained glass window in the Great Hall at Berkeley Castle.

The Beauchamp Chapel, courtesy of www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk

Henry Phythian Adams with Charles Berkeley, at an earlier talk.

Mulled Wine and Music 

FoBC Drinks Party on Sunday 10th December

 An entertaining couple of hours with drinks and light refreshments to look forward to

before Christmas, with musicians including the group Shepherd's Crook. 
Details in the August edition of the Friends' magazine The Berkeley Buttress
(accessible via the FoBC homepage)

FoBC's 10th Anniversary Dinner last year in The Great Hall.

R J G Berkeley

 It is with great sadness that the Committee of the Friends of Berkeley Castle
has to advise you that Mr Berkeley died on Thursday 2nd November 2017.
Thankfully he died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

There will be a private funeral.

Details of a Requiem to be held in the New Year will be advised in due course.

Mr Berkeley with Charles Berkeley at a recent event at the Castle Yurt.