Bernard is the illegitimate son of King Pepin of Italy, the second legitimate son of the Emperor Charles.

Despite his status, Charles had allowed him to inherit Italy after the death of Pepin in 810.

Bernard married a woman named Cunigunde, but the year of their marriage, and her origins are obscure; spuriously she has been called "of Laon".

They have one son, Pepin, Count of Vermandois.

Bernard is a trusted agent of his grandfather, and of his uncle.

His rights in Italy are respected, and he is used as an intermediary to manage events in his sphere of influence—for example, when in 815 Louis the Pious receives reports that some Roman nobles had conspired to murder Pope Leo III, and that he had responded by butchering the ringleaders, Bernard had been sent to investigate the matter.