RICHARD OF WINCHESTER (de Wych)
Bishop 1197-1253 3rd April

Richard was born the son of a yeoman farmer and was a studious boy. He worked hard on the farm before going to Oxford, Paris and Bologna and studying canon law. He returned to Oxford in 1235 and soon became chancellor. Edmund of Abingdon, Richard's former tutor, had become Archbishop of Canterbury and he appointed Richard as his chancellor. Richard shared Edmund's ideas for clerical reform and both of them opposed the state when they felt it necessary. Richard went into exile with Edmund and, after the latter's death, Richard become a priest.

After his ordination in 1242, he became parish priest at Charing and Deal, and was re-appointed chancellor by Archbishop Boniface of Savoy. In 1244 Richard was elected bishop, but King Henry III and some of the Chapter opposed his appointment, while Boniface refused to accept their rival candidate. The two sides appealed to the pope. The king confiscated the properties and revenues of the see, but Pope Innocent IV confirmed Richard's election and consecrated him bishop de Wych at Lyons in 1245. He returned to Chichester, living in the parish priest's house at Tarring for two years until the church properties were restored.

Richard was considered a model bishop, both stern and merciful to sinners, generous to the needy and a strong legislator in the diocese, imposing strict rules on clergy and laity alike. Towards the end of his life, he preached the Crusade, hoping to re-open the Holy Land for pilgrims rather than for political expeditions. He recruited Crusaders in Sussex and Kent, but at Dover he became seriously ill and died. He was canonised 9 years later.