Richard Davies (bishop)

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Richard Davies (c. 15057 November 1581) was a Welsh bishop and scholar.

Life

He was born in north Wales, and was educated at New Inn Hall, Oxford, becoming rector of Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire in 1549, and then vicar of Burnham, Buckinghamshire, in 1550; he was married to Dorothy Woodforde.

Being a reformer he took refuge at Geneva during the reign of Mary, returning to England and to parochial work after the accession of Elizabeth in 1558. His connection with Wales was renewed almost at once; for, after serving on a commission which visited the Welsh dioceses, he was, in January 1560, consecrated bishop of St Asaph.

He was a member of the Council of Wales and the Marches, was very friendly with Matthew Parker, archbishop of Canterbury, and was regarded both by Parker and by William Cecil, Lord Burghley, as a trustworthy adviser on Welsh concerns.