Richard of Barking facts for kids
Richard of Barking (died 1246) was an important English monk and leader who lived a long time ago. He was the head of Westminster Abbey, a very famous church. He also worked as a judge for the king.
Richard of Barking's Life
Becoming a Leader
Richard of Barking was a Benedictine monk. For many years, he was a "prior" at Westminster Abbey. A prior is like a second-in-command. On October 14, 1222, he was chosen to be the "abbot" of Westminster. The abbot is the main leader of the abbey. He received a special blessing from Peter des Roches, who was the Bishop of Winchester.
Working for the King
Richard became a close advisor to the king. He was part of the king's "privy council." This was a group of important people who advised the king. He also worked as a judge in the "Exchequer." The Exchequer was like a government department that handled money and legal cases. He was a very high-ranking judge, almost the top one.
In 1243, Richard helped King Henry III collect money. This money was for the king's trip to Gascony, a region in France. Richard was a favorite of the king and often traveled with him.
In 1245, Richard of Barking became a very important person. He and another leader, Walter Mauclerk, acted as the king's deputies. This meant they were in charge of the kingdom while the king was away fighting in wars in Wales. Because of this important job, Richard did not have to attend a big meeting called the First Council of Lyon the year before.
His Final Years
Richard of Barking passed away on November 23, 1246. During his time as abbot, he helped his abbey become richer. He added several churches and lands to the abbey's possessions.
He was buried in a special marble tomb. This tomb was in the "lady chapel" of the abbey, which is a part of the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Sadly, his tomb was later destroyed.
