Richard (II), bishop of Bayeux


Richard de Douvres, also known as Ricardus and Richard of Dover was a bishop of Bayeux at the beginning of the 12th century.

Family

Richard is the son of Samson of Worcester, Bishop of Worcester and nephew of Thomas of Bayeux, Archbishop of York. He was also the uncle of Richard de Gloucester, his successor to the bishopric of Bayeux.

Biography

Richard was Grand vicar of Odon de Conteville,. Richard then succeeded Turold de Brémoy at the bishopric of Bayeux in 1107, appointed by King Henry I. He was consecrated Bishop of Bayeux in October 1119 during the Council of Reims by Pope Calixte II. While he already signed charters as bishop, nothing explains the delay in his consecration.
He presided in 1128 a provincial council attended by the Archbishop of Rouen, his suffragan bishops of Bishop of Lisieux|Lisieux, Avranches, Coutances and Sees, Geoffroy de Leves, bishop of Chartres, Josselin de Vierzy, bishop of Soissons, as well as many abbots and the King Henry I.
On 14 September 1130 he dedicated Hugues III of Amiens as archbishop of Rouen.
He also attended the coronation of King Louis VII of France in Reims on 25 October 1131.
He gives to the bishopric the barony of Dover, of which he is lord. He is also the founder of the Priory of Plessis-Grimoult.
Richard dies Easter week 1133, and is buried in the cathedral.