Beginning in 1638, Brideoake was High Master at Manchester Free School,[2] but lost the position because of his Royalist affiliation. He became chaplain to James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, a Royalist leader, and was besieged at Lathom House (near Ormskirk, Lancashire) with Stanley's family in 1644.[3] He interceded, unsuccessfully, with William Lenthall, Speaker of Parliament, for a stay of the execution of the captured Earl, in 1651.[4] Brideoake then became chaplain to Lenthall.
Brideoake was Vicar of Witney[5] from 1654.[6] On the Restoration, he became Rector of Standish in 1660, Dean of Salisbury in 1667,[7] and Bishop of Chichester in 1675.[8] During this time he had some connection with the almshouses at Heytesbury, within Salisbury diocese, for he bought a mill at Chirton on behalf of the charity in 1671.[9]
^Baggs, A. P.; Crowley, D. A.; Pugh, Ralph B.; Stevenson, Janet H.; Tomlinson, Margaret (1975). "Parishes: Chirton". In Crittall, Elizabeth (ed.). A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 10. Victoria County History. University of London. pp. 60–71. Retrieved 8 May 2022 – via British History Online.
^Fasti Wyndesorienses, May 1950. S.L. Ollard. Published by the Dean and Canons of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
^Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851, Rupert Gunnis
