Richard was born near Burford, England in 1197. Him, his elder brother, and sister, were left orphans while still young. They were placed with guardians who mismanaged the property and squandered the income. His brother paid taxes and duties on the estate when he came of age which left them impoverished.

Richard, who had been studying with the Benedictines at Worcester, dropped out and came home to farm the estate. In turn, when his brother became whole, he offered it all up to Richard, but he refused and instead went to study at Oxford at about the age of 17.

He was poor and often cold and hungry, sharing a warm tunic with 2 friends. Still, he reflected on those times with joy when he grew older.

Afterwards, he taught at the university but went onto Paris and then Bologna to further his study. He distinguished himself by his proficiency in Canon Law, and upon his return, was elected Oxford’s chancellor.

During this time, King Henry III had inherited the Barons’ War from his father, who was an unpopular king. Henry brought in a foreign army to crush the rebellious landowners, and Richard’s friend, Saint Edmund Rich, left his country parish to confront the King. He was able to plead for peace and the Pope then named him Archbishop of Canterbury. Edmund became a trusted adviser, and Richard was made his chancellor.

Together, they were instrumental in the re-issuing of the Magna Carta which protected church rights and placed limitations on the crown. They worked to promote justice, peace, and the spiritual well-being of the people.

The King still held onto foreign councilors, so Edmund threatened him with excommunication. The King yielded but grew jealous of his standing and reputation with the people. Edmund and Richard also pronounced a political marriage of the King’s sister as invalid. Richard continued to stand by his friend which also included joining him in exile into France.

7 years later, after Saint Edmund died, Richard became a priest and studied theology with the Dominicans at Orleans. He was a parish priest but was soon reappointed chancellor of Canterbury.

The Bishop of Chichester had died, and the canons elected Richard at the age of 47. When King Henry III heard of his election, he was furious and refused to address the position. He forbade anyone to house or feed him. Richard became a wanderer, dependent on the charity of those who defied the King.

Years later, the King relented, and the people rejoiced. He reformed the manners and morals of the clergy and introduced greater order and reverence into the services of the Church while overruling the King on several occasions. He was militant in protecting the clergy from abuse and imposed severe penance on knights who attacked priests.

He was bishop for only 8 years. Surrounded by a crowd of friends, he died at the age of 56 in Maison Dieu, Dover, at midnight on April 3, 1253.

He is the patron saint of coachmen and the Diocese of Chichester.

His feast day is April 3.

For God’s Glory.