Born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, and baptised on 31 January 1612 (NS 1613)[1] at the Collegiate Church, Manchester, Brideoake graduated from Brasenose College, Oxford with a BA in 1634, and made a MA by Charles I of England in 1636.
Beginning in 1638, Brideoake was High Master at Manchester Free School,[2] but lost the position because of his Royalist affiliation.
[3] He interceded, unsuccessfully, with William Lenthall, Speaker of Parliament, for a stay of the execution of the captured Earl, in 1651.
[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] In 1660 he was appointed Canon of the eleventh stall at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, a position he held until 1678.