Ralph Brideoake

Ralph Brideoake (1612/13–1678) was an English clergyman, who became Bishop of Chichester.

Born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, Lancashire and baptised on 31 January 1612 (NS 1613) at the Collegiate Church, Manchester,^[1] Brideoake graduated from Brasenose College, Oxford with a BA in 1634, and made a MA by Charles I of England in 1636. During the 1630s, Brideoake attempted to write poetry.

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 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] In 1660 he was appointed Canon of the eleventh stall at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, a position he held until 1678.^[9] He died on 5 October 1678 and is buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

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External links

• CECD page