He supported the succession of Otto III over Henry the Wrangler.

In 986, he was made marshal and in 991 and 995 he joined the young Otto on campaign against the Slavs.

He increased his power vis-à-vis the crown, where his father had been the representative of the king to the tribe, Bernard was the representative of the tribe to the king.

[2] Bernard died in 1011 and was buried in the Church of Saint Michael in Lüneburg.

[3] In 990, Bernard married Hildegard (died 1011), daughter of Henry I the Bald, Count of Stade.