The Kingswood History Society

A great day out for all with over 40 members and colleagues travelling by coach down to Portsmouth. The option was available to see just one experience up to all if you could fit it in. To be honest you need more than a day to see everything. Weather might have been better, drizzle or rain throughout. Perhaps had a taste of how the Mary Rose felt after years of being spayed with water !  Personally I only managed to…

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An intriguing look into the finances of a major landowner, The Berkely Family 1699 – 1809. Firstly, how did they come to own the land? Well, it starts with a wealthy Bristol merchant Robert Fitzharding in the 12th century. He was a supporter of Matilda the mother of the future King Henry II. His reward were the lands held by the previous occupant who had supported Stephen. Fitzharding then took on the name Berkeley. Jim’s research focused on the finances…

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