Richard of Ilchester

Richard of Ilchester (died 22 December 1188) was a medieval English statesman and prelate.

Life

Richard was born in the diocese of Bath, where he obtained preferment. Early in the reign of Henry II, however, he is found acting as a clerk in the King's court, probably under Thomas Becket. He was one of the officials who assisted Henry in carrying out his great judicial and financial reforms. but he spent most of his time in England. However, in the next two or three years he visited Pope Alexander III and the Emperor Frederick I in the interests of the English King. Becket excommunicated him for promising to support Frederick against Alexander in 1166. Before this event, however, Richard had been appointed a baron of the exchequer. One of Richard's duties was to oversee the making of the Pipe rolls, as well as keeping the treasurer from falling asleep. He was also responsible for an innovation in record keeping by the Exchequer, ordering a record of every summons made by the Exchequer. This system, however, was discontinued later. Richard continued to serve Henry II. In 1176 he was appointed justiciary and seneschal of Normandy, and was given full control of all the royal business in the duchy. He died on 22 December 1188,

Richard probably was the father of the brothers Richard Poore, who became Bishop of Durham, and Herbert Poore, who became Bishop of Salisbury.