Born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, Lancashire and baptised on 31 January 1612 (Nova Scotia 1613) at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, Brideoake graduated from Brasenose College, Oxford with a Bachelor in 1634, and made a Master of Arts 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, 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.
He interceded, unsuccessfully, with William Lenthall, Speaker of Parliament, for a stay of the execution of the captured Earl, in 1651.
Brideoake then became chaplain to Lenthall. Brideoake was Vicar of Witney, from 1654.
On the Restoration, he became Rector of Standish in 1660, Dean of Salisbury in 1667, and Bishop of Chichester in 1675. In 1660 he was appointed Canon of the eleventh stall at Street George"s Chapel, Windsor Castle, a position he held until 1678.
He died on 5 October 1678 and is buried in Saint George"s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
