Guestling Bradshaw CE Primary School

Richard was born in 1197 at Droitwich, Worcestershire in England; he was the second son of Richard and Alice de Wych. His parents died when he was young, and his family fell upon hard times. To save his brother’s farms from ruin, Richard gave up his studies, took over management of the estates and restored them to their former condition.

He worked so hard that his grateful brother wanted to give the farms to him, but Richard would not accept them. He also chose not to marry because he wanted to go to college and get a good education. He knew that because he had very little money, he would have to work hard to pay for his education.

Richard went to Oxford University and when he finished his studies, he was given an important position as Chancellor there. Later he became the legal advisor of Edmund Rich and Boniface of Savoy, the archbishops of Canterbury.

When Edmund died, Richard attended the Dominican House of Studies in France, where he was ordained a priest. In 1244, he was elected bishop of Chichester, but King Henry III wanted his friend to be bishop instead, and refused to let Richard in his own cathedral. The king also threatened the people of Chichester with punishment if they offered Richard hospitality. Luckily some brave people helped him anyway, like one of the priests of Chichester, Father Simon of Tarring. The two men became great friends. When the Pope threatened to excommunicate the king, he stopped interfering and left Richard alone.

As bishop, St. Richard did his duties well. He was always gentle and kind with the people, although once in a while, he had to be stern. He was brave and told people when they were doing wrong and were not sorry - this even included the king on one or two occasions!

Richard became ill, and God let him know in advance the exact place and time when he would die. His friends, including Simon of Tarring, were at his bedside. He died at Dover in England at the age of 55 on 3rd April 1253. Miracles and cures took place at his shrine in Chichester. He is often shown in pictures as a bishop with a chalice on its side at his feet, because he once dropped the chalice during mass and nothing spilled from it. Richard was canonised (made a saint) in 1262.

St. Richard’s feast day is on 3rd April, but because this usually falls within Lent or Eastertide, his day is celebrated on 16th June in the Anglican Church. St. Richard is the patron saint of Sussex. Since 2007, 16th June has also been celebrated as Sussex Day. We live within the diocese of Chichester.

Richard is widely remembered today for this popular prayer, which he recited on his deathbed:

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.

Do you know which musical this featured in?