See also: Berkeley

Sir William Berkeley (1606 - July 9th 1677 with London), favorite of Charles Ier of England, it is made knight and Gouverneur of Virginia (1641).

Wire of Sir Maurice Berkeley, and brother of John, British officer and owner of colonies in America.

He took the party of the king like “Rider” in 1644 (name given to supporting of king Charles Ier), at the time of the First revolution English (1642 - 1651), but turned over to Virginia as of 1645 to organize an armed force against the Indiens of America.

In 1652, it is dislocated of its functions of governor by the troops Parlement surfaces of Olivier Cromwell. It will however remain in Viriginie and continued its action of Colonisation.

With the restoration in 1660, it is again named governor. It also obtains a eighth of Carolines, current State of North Carolina and the joint ownership of the State of the New Jersey, with George de Carteret of 1664 with 1674. It sells its rights to Quakers in 1674, following political difficulties encountered between the Governor of New York, Richard Nicolls, and George de Carteret. The New Jersey was thus divided into two parts, Is, property of Carteret, and the West, Quaker colony directed by William PEN (Governor of Pennsylvania).

In 1675 the first disorders appeared in Virginia. Colonists, directed by Nathaniel Bacon, wanted to exterminate the Indians located at the north of the State, which refused Berkeley. The main argument of Berkeley was that it had signed a commercial treaty with the Indians. Bacon led a rebellion and involved the State in the Civil war, the “Bacon' S Rebellion”. Berkeley had to call upon the king. It could put an end to the civil war before the royal troops do not intervene. Bacon was stopped and its confiscated grounds and handing-over with William Randolph whose family had a great influence in Virginia. Berkeley was withdrawn from Virginia to finish its days in London.

Berkeley created a plantation of almost 1000 hectares, the Plantation Berkeley, of which there remain 100 hectares in Park National, depend on Colonial Historical Park.

The name of the town of Berkeley in Virginia was given in its honor, as well as the name of the county and of Berkeley Springs.