John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners

Lieutenant of Calais

John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners (1467 – ), Lieutenant of Calais

The story so far…

Week 11: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 2) / Early Mass

In Calais: “The Governor greets His Majesty; Lord Berners, old soldier and scholar, is the pattern of old-fashioned virtue, and if it were not for his limp, and his evident anxiety about the vast expenses he is about to incur, he would be straight out of the book called The Courtier. He has even arranged to lodge the king and the marquess in rooms with an interconnecting door.

Week 12: Anna Regina (Part 1)

The hours Cromwell spent in Lord Berners’ library at Calais were the last peaceful ones he had for some time. The Calais governor and chancellor of the exchequer has neglected his accounts. “This is what you get for devoting yourself to scholarship and serving the king across the sea, when you could be at court with sharp teeth and eyes and elbows, ready to seize your advantage.”

Berners recommends Cromwell to his post as chancellor. He dies in the new year. Cromwell tries to buy his books, but they have already walked into the hands of Francis Bryan and Nicholas Carew. Cromwell asks Henry to forgive his debts. He leaves no sons.