THE LOWESTOFT WITCHES

SIR ROBERT BERNARD

(1601 - 1666)

SERJEANT-AT-LAW

Robert Bernard (or Barnard) seems to have attended the trial as a barrister and advisor (assistant?) to Sir Matthew Hale together with Serjeants Keyling and Earle.

He was 61 years old at the time of the trial and the son Francis Bernard of Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire.  He married firstly Elizabeth Tallakerne the daughter of Sir John Tallakerne, and secondly Elizabeth Altham the daughter Sir James Altham and Mary his wife.

He settled in Huntingdon and was Member of Parliament for that borough in 1640.  He became a Serjeant-at-Law in 1648 under Oliver Cromwell, being reappointed to the post along with twelve others (including Sir Matthew Hale) in June 1660 upon the restoration of Charles II.

In 1649 he held the office  of Judge of the Court of the Isle of Ely.

He was created 1st Baronet of Huntingdon on 1st July 1662 and died at Huntingdon in 1666 aged 65.

Very little is known about his life or legal career.