Frances and Persiana Bard were the only children of Henry Bard and Ann Gardiner. As a young man their father had travelled in the East and become a proficient linguist. Returned to England about 1642 as a Colonel, he distinguished himself in the Royal cause. At the battle of Cheriton Down, he not only lost the use of an arm but was also taken prisoner.
In 1643 he was knighted and on 18 July 1645 created Baron Bard of Dromboy and Viscount Bellomont. Also in 1645 he married Ann Gardiner. 
Following Charles II into exile, he was sent by him to the Shah of Persia and to the Great Mogul to obtain money for the Royal cause. He reached Persia in 1654, then Surat in India in January 1656. He died suddenly on 20 June 1656, apparently from heat apoplexy, at Hodal which is between Agra and Delhi. Of the two daughters, Frances became the mistress of Prince Rupert and Persiana married a cousin, Nathaniel Bard.
Frances gave birth to a son who, sadly, was killed in the defence of the city of Buda against the Turks. Later on, Frances, known as Lady Bellomont, was replaced in Rupert's affections by the actress, Mrs. Margaret Hughes. Then, when Frances was left unprovided for at Rupert's death, it was his sister Sophie, Electress of Hanover, who made her one of her pensioners and a member of her own household.
 

Source: Leo van de Pas