Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bernard, John (d.1567?)
BERNARD, JOHN (d. 1567?), author, received his education at Queens' College, Cambridge, proceeded B.A. in 1543-4, became Trotter's priest in that college about 1544, and a fellow shortly afterwards, probably in 1545. He commenced M.A. in 1547, and was bursar of his college for the years 1550-1 and 1551-2. At the beginning of Queen Mary's reign he either resigned or was deprived of his fellowship. During the troubles of the protestants he composed 'Oratio pia, religiosa, et solatii plena, de vera animi tranquillitate.' This was found in the author's study, after his premature death, and published at London, 1568, 4to, with a dedication to Peter Osborn, lord-treasurer's remembrancer of the exchequer, by his brother Thomas Bernard, M.A. A translation into English by Anthony Marten, gent., sewer of the queen's chamber, was published under the title of 'The Tranquillitie of the mind: an excellent Oration directing every man and woman to the true tranquillity and quietness of the minde,' London, 1570, 8vo. Bernard's brother and editor, Thomas, was born at Castle Morton, Worcestershire; elected from Eton to King's College, Cambridge, 1524; proceeded B.A. 1529-80; M.A. 1533, and B.D. (at Oxford) 22 March 1566-7; became canon of Christchurch, Oxford, 4 Nov. 1546, and vicar of Pirton, Oxfordshire; was chaplain of archbishop Cranmer in 1547; was deprived of his preferments by Queen Mary 'for being a protestant and married man;' was restored by Elizabeth, and, dying 30 Nov. 1582, was buried at Pirton. Thomas's son, Daniel Bernard, graduated B.A. at Christchurch, Oxford, 25 June 1566, and D.D. June, 1585; became canon of Christchurch in 1577; was chaplain to Sir Thomas Bromley; vice-chancellor of Oxford, 1586; died Sept. 1588, and was buried in Christchurch Cathedral. He was the author of a Latin sermon 'de obedientia erga principes et præfectos,' published 1587.
[MS. Addit. 5863, f. 49b; Ames's Typogr. Antiq. ed. Herbert, 699, 878; Le Neve's Fasti (Hardy), ii. 619, 628-9; Wood's Fasti Oxon. ed. Bliss, i. 171, 172. 232, 235; Cooper's Athenæ Cantab, i. 250, 459; Tanner's Bibl. Brit.]