Richard de Beresford

Richard de Beresford

From Wikipedia

(not sure that this biography goes with this profile but the match seems good - Terry Jackson CUrator)

Richard de Beresford or Bereford ( died after 1318 ) was an English-born cleric who held high office in Ireland in the early fourteenth century, becoming Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

Early career

Elrington Ball[1] states that he was a cousin of William Bereford, the English Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. The Bereford family came from Barford in Warwickshire. Richard is first head of in 1283 collecting tax in Worcestershire; in 1284 he was in the service of the Bishop of Salisbury. In 1291 he became vicar of St. Mary, Shenley in Buckinghamshire and held the living for many years, although he complained of serious damage and theft of property in 1295.

Career in Ireland

He first came to Ireland in 1300 as Treasurer, and held office until 1308. His conduct came in for some criticism: shortly after his departure from Ireland Ralph de Monthermer, 1st Baron Monthermer complained in the Justiciar's Court that Richard had unlawfully seized money and goods to the value of four hundred pounds which should have come to Ralph on the death of his wife Joan of Acre, daughter of Edward I.[2] The Justiciar ordered repayment to Ralph in full, which suggests that Bereford's conduct was questionable at least. He was also Lord Chancellor of Ireland, although as often at this period there is confusion over the precise dates.

He died after 1318, when he is still recorded as vicar of Shenley.

References ^ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 John Murray London 1926 ^ Irish Justiciary Rolls 1308