Richard Whitford facts for kids

Richard Whitford (also spelled Whytford) was an English (or Welsh) Catholic priest who lived in the 1500s. He was well-known for writing many religious books and guides.

Early Life and Education

Richard Whitford likely got his name from a place called Whitford in Flintshire, near Holywell, where his uncle also owned land. He went to Oxford University for his studies. Later, from 1495 to 1504, he became a fellow at Queens' College, Cambridge.

Travels and Important Friendships

Around 1496, Whitford took a break from his college duties for five years. During this time, he traveled to Europe as a chaplain and religious advisor to William Blount, who was the 4th Baron Mountjoy. While in Paris, he met and became friends with the famous scholar Erasmus, who was teaching Lord Mountjoy. In 1498, Whitford, Erasmus, and Lord Mountjoy returned to England. Whitford might have even visited Oxford with Erasmus around this time.

Soon after returning, Whitford became a chaplain for Richard Foxe, who was the Bishop of Winchester. A writer named William Roper mentioned that in 1504, Whitford encouraged Thomas More to stand up against King Henry VII's demands for money. Whitford was very close friends with Thomas More. Erasmus once wrote a letter to Whitford, saying that Whitford believed Erasmus and More were "so alike in wit, manners, affections, and pursuits, that no pair of twins could be found more so." This shows how similar they were in their thinking and interests.

Life at Syon Monastery

Like his uncle, Richard Whitford joined the Brigittine religious community at Syon Monastery in Isleworth, Middlesex. This monastery was unique because it housed both nuns and monks. It is thought that Whitford joined around 1507. At the request of the abbess (the head nun), he wrote his first religious book for the nuns to use. He spent the rest of his life writing and putting together similar religious works. These books became very popular, even outside the monastery walls. In 1530, Whitford translated "The Imitation of Christ," a famous religious book by Thomas à Kempis.

Challenges During the Reformation

In 1535, a man named Thomas Bedyll visited Syon Monastery. He was there to get the monks and nuns to agree that the King was the supreme head of the Church, not the Pope. Letters written by Bedyll show that Whitford was very firm and brave in his resistance. He stood strong against Bedyll's demands. When the monastery was eventually closed down by the King, Whitford received a pension (regular payments) and found a safe place to live in London with the Mountjoy family for the rest of his life.

Published Works

Richard Whitford wrote many books and translated several important religious texts. Here are some of his notable works:

• A Daily Exercise and Experience of Death (1537): This book was written around 1507 for the abbess of Syon.
• The Martiloge in English (1526): This was a translation of a list of saints and their feast days, with extra information gathered by Whitford.
• Saint Augustine's Rule in English (1525): Whitford translated and improved the English version of Saint Augustine's rule for religious communities.
• A Work for Householders (1530): This book was a guide for people running households or managing groups of people.
• The Four Revelations of Saint Bridget (1531)
• The Golden Epistle of Saint Bernard (1531)
• The Crossrune, or A B C (1532): This included two small works by Saint Bonaventure, translated by Whitford.
• The Pomander of Prayer (1532)
• The Pipe or Tun of the Life of Perfection (1532): This book was written against the ideas of the Lutherans.
• A Dialogue or Communication Between the Curate and the Parishioner (1537): A guide for preparing for communion.
• A Treatise of Patience (1540)
• An Instruction to Avoid and Eschew Vices (1541): Translated from Saint Isidore.
• Of Detraction (1541): Translated from Saint Chrysostom.
• The Following of Christ (1556): This was Whitford's translation of "The Imitation of Christ."
• Certain Devout and Godly Petitions commonly called Jesus Psalter (1583): This popular prayer book is thought to have been written by Whitford.
• The Mirror of Our Lady (1530): A translation for the abbess of Syon.

Some other "Solitary Meditations" are also believed to have been written by Whitford.