Nicholas Bernard
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Bernard was an English clergyman and pamphleteer. A dean in Ireland at the time of the Rebellion of 1641
, he wrote descriptions of current events. He was also the biographer of James Ussher
.
, in 1626. He became the archbishop's chaplain and librarian. In 1627 he became dean of Kilmore
, a titular position. In 1637 he exchanged with the Very Rev. Henry Jones the deanery of Kilmore for that of Ardagh
, and became prebendary of Dromore
.
He attended Bishop John Atherton
, executed in 1640, in his last days, and wrote an account., which became a popular chap-book. Atherton was convicted of sexual offences; there was a background in church politics, and historians believe that Bernard's writing points to the context behind the scandal, as well as being a tract on repentance.
In connection with the rebellion he wrote pamphlets, about the events in Drogheda and County Louth
, and at Derry
. In 1647 he preached in London, but came to the attention of the Committee for Plundered Ministers
. They took exception to his not having a licence to preach, and Bernard spent time in the Fleet Prison
.
He left Ireland around 1649, was appointed preacher of Gray's Inn
in 1651, and became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell
. When Ussher died in 1655, Bernard took care of the funeral expenses, and in 1656 published the Life and Death of Archbishop Ussher in a Sermon preached at his Funeral at Westminster, 1656. A further apologetical work on behalf of Ussher he published in 1657 mentioned Peter Heylin
, who replied to both works. Bernard opposed the Laudian position, according to which the Papacy was not to be identified with the Antichrist
.
In 1660 John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
as patron appointed Bernard rector of Whitchurch, Shropshire
, and he declined to return to Ardagh. He continued to write, including a work on William Bedell
. He died on 15 October 1661.
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
, he wrote descriptions of current events. He was also the biographer of James Ussher
James Ussher
James Ussher was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–56...
.
Life
He was born around 1600, and educated at Cambridge. Having migrated to Ireland, he was ordained by Archbishop James Ussher, in St. Peter's church, DroghedaDrogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, in 1626. He became the archbishop's chaplain and librarian. In 1627 he became dean of Kilmore
Kilmore
-Places:Australia*Kilmore, VictoriaNorthern Ireland*Kilmore, County Armagh, a village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland*Kilmore, County Down, a village, parish and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland*Kilmore, County Tyrone...
, a titular position. In 1637 he exchanged with the Very Rev. Henry Jones the deanery of Kilmore for that of Ardagh
Ardagh
Ardagh may refer to several villages in Ireland:* Ardagh, County Donegal* Ardagh, County Longford* Ardagh, County Limerick, where the Ardagh Hoard was found in 1868* Ardagh, County Mayo, south of Ballina...
, and became prebendary of Dromore
Dromore
- Places :* Dromore, Ontario, Canada* Dromore , a crater in the Lunae Palus quadrangle of Mars- Other :* Bishop of Dromore, named for the town in County Down; the pre-Reformation antecedent of:** Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore...
.
He attended Bishop John Atherton
John Atherton
John Atherton was the Anglican Bishop of Waterford and Lismore in the Church of Ireland. He and John Childe were both tried and executed for buggery in 1640.-Life and death:...
, executed in 1640, in his last days, and wrote an account., which became a popular chap-book. Atherton was convicted of sexual offences; there was a background in church politics, and historians believe that Bernard's writing points to the context behind the scandal, as well as being a tract on repentance.
In connection with the rebellion he wrote pamphlets, about the events in Drogheda and County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and at Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
. In 1647 he preached in London, but came to the attention of the Committee for Plundered Ministers
Committee for Plundered Ministers
The Committee for Plundered Ministers was appointed by the Long Parliament, then under the influence of the Presbyterians, after the start of the English Civil War in August 1643 for the purpose of replacing and effectively silencing those clergy who were loyal to the King Charles...
. They took exception to his not having a licence to preach, and Bernard spent time in the Fleet Prison
Fleet Prison
Fleet Prison was a notorious London prison by the side of the Fleet River in London. The prison was built in 1197 and was in use until 1844. It was demolished in 1846.- History :...
.
He left Ireland around 1649, was appointed preacher of Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1651, and became chaplain to Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
. When Ussher died in 1655, Bernard took care of the funeral expenses, and in 1656 published the Life and Death of Archbishop Ussher in a Sermon preached at his Funeral at Westminster, 1656. A further apologetical work on behalf of Ussher he published in 1657 mentioned Peter Heylin
Peter Heylin
Peter Heylin or Heylyn was an English ecclesiastic and author of many polemical, historical, political and theological tracts. He incorporated his political concepts into his geographical books Microcosmus in 1621 and Cosmographie .-Life:He was born in Burford, Oxfordshire, the son of Henry Heylyn...
, who replied to both works. Bernard opposed the Laudian position, according to which the Papacy was not to be identified with the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
.
In 1660 John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater
John Egerton, 2nd Earl of Bridgewater PC was an English nobleman.He was a son of John Egerton, 1st Earl of Bridgewater and his wife Lady Frances Stanley...
as patron appointed Bernard rector of Whitchurch, Shropshire
Whitchurch, Shropshire
Whitchurch is a market town in Shropshire, England on the border between England and Wales. It is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Shropshire. According to the 2001 Census, the population of the town is 8,673, with a more recent estimate putting the population of the town at 8,934...
, and he declined to return to Ardagh. He continued to write, including a work on William Bedell
William Bedell
William Bedell was an Anglican churchman.-Early life:He was born at Black Notley in Essex, and educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was a pupil of William Perkins. He became a fellow of Emmanuel in 1593, and took orders...
. He died on 15 October 1661.