Background
Bernard was born at Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire, the son of Francis Bernard.
Bernard was born at Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire, the son of Francis Bernard.
He was admitted at the Middle Temple on 13 November 1615. He was Recorder of Huntingdon. Bernard was Counsel for Cambridge University in 1646 and steward and judge of the Court of the Isle of Ely in 1649.
He was a serjeant-at-law and was created a baronet, of Huntingdon on 1 July 1662.
Bernard died in his 66th year and was buried in the north aisle of Abington Church, Northamptonshire where there is a monument. Bernard married firstly Elizabeth Tallakerne, daughter of Sir John Tallakerne.
Their children included John and Lucy who married Sir Nicholas Pedley Member of Parliament for Huntingdon. Bernard married secondly to Lady Elizabeth Digby, widow of Robert Digby, 1st Baron Digby.
She died in 1662 and was buried at Street Paul"s Covent Garden.
Short Parliament]
In April 1640, Bernard was elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon in the Short Parliament.