John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners
Portrait by Ambrosius Benson, 1520–1526
Born	c. 1467
Died	19 March 1533 Calais
Buried	Calais
Spouse(s)	Katherine Howard Margaret Chedworth
Issue	Thomas Bourchier Joan Bourchier Margaret Bourchier Mary Bourchier Humphrey Bourchier Sir James Bourchier George Bourchier Ursula Bourchier
Father	Sir Humphrey Bourchier
Mother	Elizabeth Tilney

John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners (born around 1467 – died 19 March 1533) was an important English soldier, politician, and translator. He lived during the time of King Henry VIII and was known for his skills in battle, government, and especially for translating famous books into English.

His Family and Early Life

John Bourchier was born around 1467. He was the only son of Sir Humphrey Bourchier and Elizabeth Tilney. Sadly, his father died in a battle in 1471 when John was very young.

Through his father, John was related to King Edward III, a famous English king. His great-grandmother, Anne of Gloucester, was King Edward's youngest son's daughter.

After his father passed away, John's mother, Elizabeth, married Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. This meant John had many half-brothers and half-sisters, including Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Boleyn, Countess of Wiltshire, who was the mother of Anne Boleyn.

His Career and Adventures

When John's father died, John became a "ward" of John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. This meant John Howard was responsible for looking after John Bourchier and his property until he grew up. In 1474, when John was just seven years old, his grandfather died, and John inherited the title of Baron Berners.

He studied at Oxford University and in 1477, he became a Knight of the Bath. This was a special honor given by the king.

John Bourchier was also a soldier. In 1492, he agreed to fight in wars overseas. He helped put down a rebellion in Cornwall in 1497. Later, in 1513, he was part of the capture of a town called Thérouanne.

A very exciting event in his life was in 1520. He joined King Henry VIII and many other important people at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France. This was a huge, fancy meeting between King Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France.

John Bourchier held several important jobs for King Henry VIII. He was the Lieutenant of Calais from 1520. Calais was an English town in France at that time. He also served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1524. This job was like being in charge of the country's money.

His Work as a Translator

One of John Bourchier's most famous achievements was his work as a translator. King Henry VIII himself asked him to translate important books.

He translated Froissart's Chronicles between 1523 and 1525. This book was a major history of medieval times. His translation helped improve English historical writing. He also translated The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius, a book of wise thoughts. Other books he translated include The History of Arthur of Lytell Brytaine and the story of Huon of Bordeaux.

John Bourchier died in Calais in 1533.

Marriage and Children

Before 1490, John Bourchier married Katherine Howard. She was the daughter of John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. John and Katherine had a son and three daughters:

• Thomas Bourchier, who died before his father.
• Joan Bourchier (died 1561), who married Sir Edmund Knyvet. She became her father's heir.
• Margaret Bourchier, who also died before her father.
• Mary Bourchier, who married Alexander Unton but had no children. She also died before her father.

John Bourchier also had three sons and a daughter from relationships outside of his marriage:

• Humphrey Bourchier (died 1540)
• Sir James Bourchier (died 1554)
• George Bourchier
• Ursula Bourchier, who married Sir William Sharington.