 He studied at Oxford, possibly at New College, where he became friends with Thomas Beckington (later Bishop of Bath and Wells).Brunce entered the Church and held a number of posts in Lincolnshire, being collated Archdeacon of Stow in 1419.He also undertook diplomatic missions on the Continent for King Henry V. In 1427 he was collated Archdeacon of Berkshire and in 1429 was elected Bishop of Chichester, although the latter position was given to Simon Sydenham instead.