BRUNING (BRYNING), Richard (by 1531-73/80), of Chisenbury, Wilts.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558, ed. S.T. Bindoff, 1982
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. by 1531, 1st s. of Richard Bruning of Chisenbury by Mary, da. and coh. of Michael Skilling of Houghton, Wilts. m. by 1552, Eleanor, da. of William Wayte of Wymering, Hants, 4s. 7da.1

Offices Held

Biography

Richard Bruning inherited, although in what year has not been discovered, his parents’ property in east Wiltshire but himself acquired lands in the Wootton Bassett area, including part of the manor of Somerford Bolles in the nearby parish of Somerford. In March 1555 Sir Francis Englefield obtained the lordship and manor of Wootton Bassett and it was doubtless with his support that Bruning was elected there; although no tie between the two men has been traced during Mary’s reign Englefield’s brother John held lands in Somerford jointly with Bruning early in Elizabeth’s and their partnership seems to have been of long standing. As might have been expected from this association, Bruning did not support the opposition headed by Sir Anthony Kingston in 1555. As a Member of the following Parliament he was licensed with several others on 28 Feb. 1558 to attend the assizes in Wiltshire ‘for great business’.2

Bruning’s Membership was probably the high point of his public career, for what little has been found about his later life relates to his property. He was a sick man when on 17 May 1573 he made his will, asking to be buried in the aisle belonging to Chisenbury House at Nether Avon church. He left his lands at Compton to his son William and those at Seagry to his wife, whom he named sole executrix, and after her death to his son Thomas. He bequeathed all his unspecified property and household goods, as well as lands in St. Mary Bourne, Hampshire, to his son Richard, £10 to Eleanor Maye, one of his married daughters, another £10 to Henry Blanchard, his son-in-law and one of his overseers, and a ring to Blanchard’s wife. Bruning gave the other overseer, John Tutt, a ring, and also remembered his servants and the poor at Nether Avon. His will was proved on 15 June 1580.3

Ref Volumes: 1509-1558

Author: Elizabeth McIntyre

Notes

  • 1. Date of birth estimated from marriage. PCC 23 Arundell; Add. 37310; Cal. M.T. Recs. i. 154.
  • 2. Wilts. Arch. Mag. xxxi. 291-3; Her. and Gen. iii. 519; Wilts. N. and Q. ii. 421; iv. 264, 457; v. 353; vi. 231; CPR, 1554-5, p. 52; CJ, i. 50.
  • 3. Wilts. N. and Q. iv. 457; v. 353; vi. 231; CPR, 1563-6, p. 274; 1566-9, p. 191; PCC 23 Arundell.