Fromund le Brun (died 1283) was a cleric and judge in Ireland who became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He lost a long battle to become Archbishop of Dublin, due to his notorious pluralism (i.e his holding of multiple benefices). He also clashed bitterly with the Archbishop of Cashel, David Mac Cerbaill. Early career He may have been a descendant of Sir William le Brun, who came to Ireland during the Norman Invasion of Ireland, and he was probably related to a later William le Brun, who was also a royal clerk. He is said to have been illegitimate. He is first heard of in 1248 as a clerk to the Justiciar of Ireland, Sir John Fitzgeoffrey, and apparently gained considerable judicial experience in this way: Fitzgeoffrey was a strong and capable viceroy, who reorganised the government of Ulster, and Le Brun must have learnt a good deal from him. His duties included administrative tasks: his first recorded assignment was to deliver treasure to the King's Wardrobe (a Department of the Royal Household, not simply a room) at Marlborough. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1259 and held the office with (possibly) one intermission until his death in 1283. He was a noted pluralist: he was appointed Archdeacon of Waterford, while he also held livings in the dioceses of Dublin, Winchester and Salisbury. He became a papal chaplain in 1259. Failure to become Archbishop of Dublin He was the choice of the monks of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin (then called Holy Trinity Priory), to be Archbishop of Dublin in 1271, on the death of Fulk Basset, but he was opposed by another papal chaplain and proctor, William de la Corner, Archdeacon of Glendalough, who was the choice of the Chapter of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. The matter dragged on for several years, and was in due course referred to the Pope. Le Brun's record of pluralism destroyed his chances of becoming Archbishop, when it was found that he was unlawfully in possession of one of his benefices. Pope Nicholas III declared his election void, but also passed over William in favour of a compromise candidate, John de Derlington, who as a royal confessor also enjoyed the confidence of the English Crown (in the event Derlington, detained by official business in England, died without ever setting foot in Ireland). William de la Corner subsequently became Bishop of Salisbury. Quarrel with the Archbishop