Berkeley Castle, in Saxon times, was the site of a nunnery. Harold Godwine obtained the land by corrupting the nuns with a carefully laid plan involving a 'young man of great beauty' sent to the nunnery pretending to be ill. After Godwine the land was owned by William Fitz Osbern, a follower of Willam the Conqueror, and a simple castle was built on the site. Berkeley Castle was later granted by Henry II to Robert FitzHarding a supporter of his through the conflict with King Stephen. The castle is noted for its association with Edward II. Edward was imprisoned in April 1327 and later murdered in the castle.
Henry II granted the castle at Berkeley to Robert Fitz Harding, a wealthy merchant who had helped Henry with financial aid during the conflict with Stephen.
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