Richard Fletcher (bishop) explained

Type:bishop
Honorific-Prefix:The Right Reverend
Richard Fletcher
Bishop of London
Church:Church of England
Province:Canterbury
Diocese:London
Elected:30 December 1594
Term:10 January 1595 – 15 June 1596
Predecessor:John Aylmer
Successor:Richard Bancroft
Consecration:14 December 1589
Birth Place:Watford
Death Date:15 June 1596 (aged approximately 51–52)
Nationality:English
Religion:Anglican
Children:John Fletcher
Previous Post:Bishop of Worcester
Bishop of Bristol
Dean of Peterborough

Richard Fletcher (1544/5, Watford – 15 June 1596) was a Church of England priest and bishop. He was successively Dean of Peterborough (1583–89), bishop of Bristol (1589–93), Bishop of Worcester (1593–95) and Bishop of London (1595–96).

Fletcher was educated at Norwich School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, matriculating in 1562, graduating B.A. 1566. Moving to Corpus Christi College, where he gained a fellowship in 1569, he graduated M.A. 1569, B.D. 1576, D.D. 1580. He was the father of playwright John Fletcher.

During Fletcher's time as Dean of Peterborough Cathedral he was present at the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots on 8 February 1587, described by Fraser as "pray(ing) out loud and at length, in a prolonged and rhetorical style as though determined to force his way into the pages of history" (1969:584), and presided over her initial funeral and burial at Peterborough Cathedral.[1]

Fletcher was elected Bishop of Bristol on 13 November 1589 and consecrated on 14 December 1589. He was translated to the bishopric of Worcester on 10 February 1593, and to the bishopric of London on 10 January 1595.

Fletcher died in office on 15 June 1596.

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Fraser, A.. 1969. Mary Queen of Scots. World Books. London. 583–586, 594.