Charles Bernard, who was born about 1656, was a son of Samuel Bernard, D.D., of Croydon. On 16th August, 1670 (his father being then dead), he was apprenticed to Henry Boone, Surgeon, for seven years, and on 4th December, 1677, was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons; on 25th October, 1697, he was chosen an Assistant, and on 8th November, 1700, an Examiner of Surgeons in the place of Thomas Lichfield. In 1702 he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to Queen Anne, and in 1703 he was Master of the Company. One of his brothers, Dr. Francis Bernard, was physician to James II, and he had another brother, Dr. William Bernard. Charles Bernard died at Lord Weymouth’s house, Long Leate, Wilts, on 9th October, 1710, and shortly afterwards the Company caused his portrait to be painted. There is a Latin inscription below it which is highly eulogistic of Bernard, the following being a translation:—
This portrait of Charles Bernard Esquire, Royal Surgeon in Chief, most learned in Greek and Latin letters, most experienced, candid and upright in his profession, enjoying the greatest favour with the Most Serene Queen Anne, the greatest fame among the laity, the greatest authority among his fellows, the greatest esteem among all, in consideration of the remission by the same Most Serene Queen at his prayer of a heavy sum of nearly one thousand pounds in which this Company was bound to the Royal Exchequer, and in consideration of his advancement of Surgical science, his assertion and augmentation of its dignity, and other brilliant services to the Surgeons, the Company caused this portrait to be painted after his death 1711.
Mr. Bernard possessed a valuable library containing a curious collection of the best authors in Physic, Philology, Antiquities, &c., together with many ancient manuscripts, all of which were sold by Auction in March, 1711, at the Black Boy Coffee House in Ave Maria Lane. Swift in his Journal to Stella, March 19th, says,
I went to-day to see poor Charles Bernard’s books, and I itch to lay out nine or ten pounds for some fine Editions of fine authors * * * I walked to-day into the City, and went to see the auction of poor Charles Bernard’s books. They were in the middle of Physic books, so I bought none, and they are so dear I believe I shall buy none.
A catalogue of these books is in the Sloane collection (1770).
In Nichols’ Literary Anecdotes is a story of Mr. Edward Thwaites, M.A., Fellow of Queen’s College, Oxford, which characteristically introduces Mr. Bernard.
Mr. Bernard’s daughter Elizabeth was married to Ambrose Dickins, Esquire (who was Master in 1629 and Serjeant-Surgeon).
By his Will, dated 7th November, 1707, he bequeathed to his wife Susan, £500 and his houses in Broad Street, Pissing Alley and Milk Street. To his daughter Susan £1,000, and other bequests to his daughters Elizabeth and Mary, his son Charles and his sister Jane. He desires to be buried privately and late at night, makes his children residuary legatees and appoints his brother, Dr. William Bernard and his kinsman, Thomas Sisson, executors. By a codicil 3rd October, 1710, he revokes the appointment of executors and makes his son, Henry Bernard, and Charles Bernard (Clerk of the Barber-Surgeons) his executors with £100 each.
Arms. Ar. on a bend az. three escallop shells of the field.