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north-central Virginia aristocracy. Lady Berkeley
assumed a leadership of the Virginia gentry which
was hardly less effective than the governorship it
self. For a period of three years she exercised an
influence with the Council and the Burgesses which
surpassed that of Margaret Brent, Governor of Maryland
in 1646. Although she married Philip Ludwell,                
a third wealthy husband and President of the Council, 
in 1680, she remained "Lady Berkeley." Her Ladyship was well known at 
Whitehall, and in 1690
she and her third husband became governors of the
emerging aristocracy in South Carolina.
Such influences, added to those of the
deceased Sir William Berkeley, hastened the social
evolution so much desired in London. And in Virginia,
Maryland and lower Carolina, large land grants, limited 
suffrage and county oligarchies at last produced the
effects so long desired. There were Carrolls, Talbots and Taneys 
in Maryland; Washingtons, Carters, Byrds and Blands in Virginia; 
Barnwells, Middletons and Rhetts in Carolina. These families survived, like British
 
 
1. 
The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
 gives numerous sketches and articles on these subjects, but
there is no account in print of the curious socialization represented by Lady Berkely, Lords Culpeper
and Howard of Effingham.