Richard Wendene (c. 1219–1250) was a medieval Bishop of Rochester.


Richard Wendene
Bishop of Rochester
Elected26 March 1235
Term ended12 October 1250
PredecessorHenry Sandford
SuccessorLawrence of St Martin
Other post(s)Rector of Bromley
Orders
Consecration21 November 1238
Personal details
Bornc. 1219
Died12 October 1250
Freckenham, Suffolk
DenominationRoman Catholic

Identity

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Richard's surname was variously spelled, and he has been confused with Richard of Wendover, a physician and medical writer. "Wendene" could refer to Wenden Lofts in Essex (or even Wendens Ambo nearby).[1] That Richard served Benedict of Sawston could strengthen this connexion, as Sawston is only ten miles from either village.

Life

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Richard was entitled magister and therefore must have attended university - and this would suggest his being from a well-heeled family. He was a clerk to Benedict of Sawston, bishop of Rochester, by 1215, and became the official to Benedict's successor Henry Sandford. He was also rector of Bromley in Kent.[2]

At Sandford's death, in spring 1235, the monks of Rochester elected Wendene bishop. However, Edmund of Abingdon challenged the election, as he claimed the archbishop of Canterbury's jurisdiction over the diocese of Rochester. It took a couple of years for the pope to find in the monks' favour, and Richard was consecrated on 21 November 1238 in Rochester Cathedral.[3][4]

Richard died on 12 October 1250 at the episcopal manor of Freckenham, Suffolk. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.[3][1][5]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Nicholas Karn, "Wenden, Richard of (d. 1250)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, May 2009.
  2. ^ British History Online Bishops of Rochester accessed on 30 October 2007
  3. ^ a b Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 267
  4. ^ Faith and Fabric: A History of Rochester Cathedral 604-1994, Prof. Nigel Yates (1996)
  5. ^ Wareham, A F; Wright, A P M. "A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 10, Cheveley, Flendish, Staine and Staploe Hundreds (North-Eastern Cambridgeshire)". british history online.

References

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Rochester
1235–1250
Succeeded by