Richard Fitzalan, 4th Earl of Arundel, 9th Earl of Surrey (1346 – 21 September 1397) was an English medieval nobleman and military commander.

Lineage

Born in 1346, he was the son of Richard Fitzalan, 3rd Earl of Arundel and Eleanor of Lancaster. He succeeded his father to the title of Earl of Arundel on 24 January 1376.

His brother was Thomas Arundel, the Bishop of Ely from 1374 to 1388, Archbishop of York from 1388 to 1397, and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death in 1414.

At the coronation of Richard II, Richard Fitzalan carried the crown.

Power struggle

Fitzalan was closely aligned with Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, who was an uncle of King Richard II. Thomas was opposed to Richard II's desire for peace with France in the Hundred Years' War and a power struggle ensued between him and Gloucester. In late 1386, Gloucester forced King Richard II to name himself and Richard Fitzalan to the King's Council. This Council was to all intents and purposes a Regency Council for Richard II. However, King Richard limited the duration of the Council's powers to one year.

Knight of the Garter

In 1386, King Richard II named Richard Fitzalan Admiral of England and made him a Knight of the Garter.

Radcot Bridge

The King summoned Gloucester and Fitzalan to a meeting. However, instead of coming, they raised troops and defeated the new Council at Radcot Bridge on 22 December 1387. During that battle, they took the favourites prisoner. The next year, the Merciless Parliament condemned the favourites.

Fitzalan was one of the Lords Appellant who accused and condemned Richard II's favourites. MP, without issue.

  • Joan FitzAlan (1375 – 14 November 1435), who married William Beauchamp, 1st Baron Bergavenny. Fitzalan further antagonized the King by arriving late for the queen's funeral. Richard II, in a rage, snatched a wand and struck Fitzalan in the face and drew blood. Shortly after that, the King feigned a reconciliation but he was only biding his time for the right moment to strike.

Arundel was persuaded by his brother Thomas to surrender himself and to trust the king's clemency. He stood trial at Westminster and was attainted. He was beheaded on 21 September 1397 and was buried in the church of the Augustin Friars, near Old Broad Street, London.

In October 1400, the attainder was reversed, and Richard Fitzalan's son Thomas succeeded to his father's estates and honours.