Sir Francis, a soldier, statesman, and a poet of no inconsiderable fame in his time, was born of a gentle family, educated at Oxford, and afterwards spent some time in travelling abroad. In the year 1522, the 14th of Henry VIII. he attended in a military capacity the earl of Surrey in his expedition to the coast of Brittany; and commanded the troops in the attack of the town of Morlaix, which he took and burnt. For this service he was knighted on the spot by the earl. In 1528, he was in Spain; but on what service is doubtful. In 1529, he was sent ambassador to France; and the year following, to Rome, on account of the king's divorce. He had also been there in 1522, in the same capacity, when Cardinal Wolsey's election to the holy Bryennius, Nicephorus, a prince distinguished by his courage, probity, and learning, was born at Orestia in Macedonia; where his father by rebellion provoked the emperor to send his general Alexis Comnenus against him, who ordered his eyes to be pulled out; but being charmed with his son Bryennius, he married him to Anne Comnenus his daughter, so famous by her writings. When Alexis came to the throne, he gave Brycinius the title of Caesar; but would not declare him his successor, though solicited to it by the empress Irene; and was therefore succeeded by his son John Comnenus, to whom Bryennius behaved with the utmost fidelity. Being sent, about the year 1137, to besiege Antioch, he fell sick; and, returning, died at Constantinople. This prince wrote the History of Alexis Comnenus, which he composed at Byzantium the request of his mother-in-law the empress Irene.

Brygmus, among physicians, a grating noise made by the gnawing of the teeth.

Bryonia, Bryony. See Botany Index.

Black Bryony. See Tamus, Botany Index.

Bryum. See Botany Index.