Brunne, Robert De

Brunne, Robert De (or Robert Mannyng), a canon of the Gilbertine order, was born in the latter part of the 13th century, and received into the order of'black canons at Brunne about 1288. He resided in the priory of Sempringham ten years, in the time of prior John of Camelton, and five years with John of Clyntone. In 1303 he began a metrical paraphrase of a French book, written by Robert Grosthead, bishop of Lincoln, called Manuel Peche (Manuel des Peches), a treatise on the decalogue and the seven deadly sins, illustrated with many legendary stories. It was never printed, but is preserved in the Bodleian Library. His second and more important work was a metrical chronicle of England the first part being a translation of Wace's Brut d'Anygleterre, and the second from a French chronicle written by Peter de Langtoft. See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.