BRANTINGHAM

brantingham, thomas de (d. 1394), english lord treasurer and bishop of exeter, came of a durham family. an older relative, ralph de brantingham, had served edward ii. and edward iii., and thomas was made a clerk in the treasury. edward iii. obtained preferment for him in the church, and from 1361 to 1368 he was employed in france in responsible positions. he was closely associated with william of wykeham, and while the latter was in power as chancellor, brantingham was lord treasurer (1369-1371, and 1377-1381), being made bishop of exeter in 1370. he continued to play a prominent part in public affairs under richard ii., and in 1389 was again lord treasurer for a few months. he died in 1394 and was buried in exeter cathedral.