Berkeley (Derivation: OE; birch tree glade) is a small Georgian style town with Anglo-Saxon roots in Gloucestershire, about 26 km (16miles) north of Bristol. It is pronounced “Barkly”. It was the birthplace and home of the pioneer of the smallpox vaccine, Edward Jenner.
Berkeley Castle, which the town has grown around, was built on the orders of Henry II during the 12th century as one of the marcher castles against the Welsh. It has been the home of the Berkeley family since its construction. Edward II was imprisoned and murdered within its walls on the orders of his wife, Isabella and Roger Mortimer in 1327.