Cotheridge Court

Cotheridge Court is a Grade II* listed ancient manor house situated in the south-western part of Cotheridge, in the county of Worcestershire, England, and birthplace of Herbert Bowyer Berkeley. The house bought in 1615 by William Berkeley, eldest son of Rowland Berkeley (1548-1611) of Spetchley, was owned and lived in by the Berkeley family for nearly 350 years, but the manor is over one thousand years old. This family descended from the Berkeleys of Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire, and Eadnoth. Cotheridge Court is now a private residence of sub-divided flats.

In 963 Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, granted land called 'Coddanhrycce' to thegn Aelfric for three successive generations, being limited to male heirs.

In the Domesday Book a timber-framed court is mentioned. The existing house dates back to the 16th century, and perhaps even further back. It is built upon the site of the original dwelling mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Prior to 1615, the manor was held by a succession of various owners. In 1615 it was sold to William Berkeley (1582–1658) of Cowleigh, eldest son of Rowland Berkeley (1548–1611) of Worcester and Spetchley, a wealthy Worcester clothier who originated from Hereford. The house then was a large, two-storey timber-framed dwelling with a third floor of gabled attics having carved bageboards. The house contained a small, panelled room known as the 'sots hole' where drunks were held in order to sleep off their drunkenness. This room probably dates back to pre-15th century and before, when the house was a Court House.

William, Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1617 was succeeded by his son, Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613–1669). Sir Rowland's only son, Thomas, died unmarried, on 25 October 1669, in Greece. He was on a diplomatic mission to Turkey, travelling with His Excellency Sir Daniel Harvey from King Charles II to Sultan Mahomethan, Emperor of the Turks. The two men were travelling from Constantinople towards Thessalonica when Thomas fell ill. He was 30 years old and his remains were buried amongst Christians. Having no other sons, Cotheridge Court passed to Sir Rowland's eldest daughter Elizabeth. She married in 1681 Henry Green who adopted the surname Berkeley. Their eldest son became the next Rowland Berkeley of Cotheridge who died in 1731.

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