Richard Northalis

Richard Northalis (died 20 July 1397) was an English-born cleric and judge who spent much of his life in Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. For the last decade of his life, he was one of the English Crown's most trusted advisers on Irish affairs.

Early life

He was born in Middlesex, the son of John Northales (died 1349), also known as John Clarke, who was Sheriff of London in 1335-6. He entered the Carmelite order in London. He gained a reputation as a preacher of great eloquence, and was appointed a royal chaplain.

Crown servant

He was a diplomat and statesman of considerable repute. He was envoy to the Holy See in 1388 and was a trusted adviser to King Richard II in his dealings with the Holy See and in Irish affairs.

The King, in 1391, referred to Richard as a man on whom he greatly relied for his "circumspection, prudence and fidelity". He spent much of the spring and summer of 1391 in England in constant attendance on the King, advising him on his dealings with the Vatican, which were particularly difficult at that time due to the Papal Schism. On his return to Ireland, he was made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland and acted as Justiciar of Kilkenny. He worked closely with James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and accompanied him on an armed expedition to Munster. He obtained special leave to visit England without incurring the normal penalties imposed on absentees from Ireland, on the condition that he furnish a troop of soldiers for the defence of the realm; this was a blow against his opponents, who had tried to enforce the statute forbidding travel against him. He became Archbishop of Dublin in 1396: he died in Dublin died only a year later and was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral. In his short tenure as Archbishop he had one notable achievement: the Archbishop of Dublin was confirmed in office as admiral of the leading port of Dalkey, south of Dublin city.

Works A number of works are attributed to him, none of which survive: they include Sermones and Ad Ecclesarium Paroches. His authorship of a Hymn to Canute is disputed.