BERNERS

berners, john bourchier, 2nd baron (1469-1533), english translator, was born probably at tharfield, hertfordshire, about 1469. his father was killed at barnet in 1471, and he inherited his title in 1474 from his grandfather, john bourchier, who was a descendant of edward iii. it is supposed that he was educated at oxford, perhaps at balliol. his political life began early, for in 1484 he was implicated in a premature attempt to place henry, duke of richmond (afterwards henry vii.), on the throne, and fled in consequence to brittany. in 1497 he helped to put down an insurrection in cornwall and devonshire, raised by michael joseph, a blacksmith, and from this time was in high favour at court. he accompanied henry viii. to calais in 1513, and was a captain of pioneers at the siege of therouanne. in the next year he was again sent to france as chamberlain to the king's sister mary on her marriage with louis