I
ROBERT MANNYNG OF BRUNNE'S
HANDLYNG SYNNE
A.D. 1303
What is known of Robert Mannyng of Brunne is derived from his own works. In the Prologue of Handling Synne he writes:
To alle Crystyn men vndir sunne,
And to gode men of Brunne,
And speciali, all be name,
Þe felaushepe of Symprynghame,
Roberd of Brunne greteþ ȝow
In al godenesse þat may to prow;
Of Brunne wake yn Kesteuene,
Syxe myle besyde Sympryngham euene,
Y dwelled yn þe pryorye
Fyftene ȝere yn cumpanye….
And to gode men of Brunne,
And speciali, all be name,
Þe felaushepe of Symprynghame,
Roberd of Brunne greteþ ȝow
In al godenesse þat may to prow;
Of Brunne wake yn Kesteuene,
Syxe myle besyde Sympryngham euene,
Y dwelled yn þe pryorye
Fyftene ȝere yn cumpanye….
And in the Introduction to his Chronicle:
Of Brunne I am; if any me blame,
Robert Mannyng is my name;
Blissed be he of God of heune
Þat me Robert with guide wille neuene!
In þe third Edwards tyme was I,
When I wrote alle þis story,
In þe hous of Sixille I was a throwe;
Danȝ Robert of Malton, þat ȝe know,
Did it wryte for felawes sake
When þai wild solace make.
Robert Mannyng is my name;
Blissed be he of God of heune
Þat me Robert with guide wille neuene!
In þe third Edwards tyme was I,
When I wrote alle þis story,
In þe hous of Sixille I was a throwe;
Danȝ Robert of Malton, þat ȝe know,
Did it wryte for felawes sake
When þai wild solace make.
From these passages it appears that he was born in Brunne, the modern Bourn, in Lincolnshire; and that he belonged to the Gilbertine Order. Sempringham was the head-quarters of the Order, and the dependent priory of Sixhill was near by. It has been suggested, without much evidence, that he was a lay brother, and not a full canon.
2025.10
B
