Career
He served the exiled Stuart court. He was a cavalry officer and fought in the French and Spanish armies. Charles was subsequently created Baron Berkeley of Rathdowne, company
Wicklow, Ireland, and Baron Fitzhardinge of Berehaven, Company
Kerry, Ireland, on 1 July 1663. He was created Earl of Falmouth, in the Peerage of England, on 17 March 1664, and Baron Botetourt of Langport, Somerset on the same day.
He was promoted Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and was elected Member of Parliament for New Romney. During the Second Anglo-Dutch War he volunteered for service in the Royal fleet.
Charles was killed by a cannonball on 3 June 1665 on board the Royal Charles in one of the first exchanges of the Battle of Lowestoft.
His boisterous character made him not very well loved by many, but his loyalty to the Royal family favoured his relationship with the King. Clarendon was amazed at the flood of tears the King shed, when he received the news that Berkeley had been killed.