Edward VI's Lord Chancellor, Richard Rich: Villain or Loyal Servant?

Richard Rich shaped Tudor power through ruthless prosecutions, torture, and office gains under multiple monarchs.

Richard Rich is remembered for being one of the biggest villains of the Tudor period. A reputation he certainly seems to have earned, he can be found involved in many of the events in the reign of Henry VIII, including the downfall of Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell. He was one of the torturers of the protestant martyr Anne Askew, and he prosecuted catholic priests for refusing the English bible.

Rising from a lawyer to Lord Chancellor to King Edward VI, Rich's wealth grew as did his status. He eventually owned hundreds of properties in Essex and became very wealthy due to his appointment as Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations. But was he all bad?

Towards the end of his life, Rich established Felsted School, which remains active today. He managed to survive under four Tudor monarchs, some say by betraying his fellows, while others argue that he was simply being a loyal servant to his monarch. Does he truly deserve this pessimistic view, or has history portrayed him as a villain? This book examines Richard Rich's life and involvement in the Tudor court to determine whether he truly was a villain.