Richard Redman (speaker)

Sir Richard Redman(orRedmayneorReadman) (died 1426) was an English nobleman, knight, administrator and politician, being elected as aMember of ParliamentrepresentingYorkshireand later acting as theSpeaker of the House of Commonsfor the Parliament of 1415.

Early life

Redman was the son of Sir Matthew Redman, who served inFranceandSpainunderJohn of Gaunt,and grandson of anotherSir Matthew Redmanwho was theMember of ParliamentforWestmorlandin 1357 and 1358.

Career

Redman began his career as a soldier, campaigning on the continent, and was knighted by 1376. He was appointedHigh Sheriff of Cumberlandfor 1387, 1391, 1394, 1397, 1401 and 1410 andHigh Sheriff of Yorkshirefor 1403 and 1415. In 1393 Richard was granted leave to hold a tournament inCarlisle.In 1397, after campaigning in Ireland withRichard IIhe was appointedMaster of the Horse.Between 1399 and 1400 he travelled to Ireland withJohn de Cobham, 3rd Baron Cobhambefore returning toEnglandin May to create a peace withScotland.In 1405 he was commissioned to fine members of the gentry associated with the rebellion byHenry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland,and was the same year elected to representYorkshireas aknight of the shire(MP), a job he returned to for the Parliaments of 1414, 1415, 1420 and 1421. In 1408 he was commissioned again to fine gentry associated with the Percy Rebellion after their defeat at theBattle of Bramham Moor.

In 1409 and 1410 he attempted to gain peace with theScots;after this failed he was tasked with raising forces against them. In 1415 along with John Strange he raised forces against the French before theHundred Years' War (1415–1429)and was elected speaker of the 1415 parliament, which met on 4 November and lasted only eight days due to the loyalist feeling after theBattle of Agincourtbefore Parliament voted for supplies to maintain the war with France. In 1421 he was again commissioned to raise money for the war withFrancebefore his death in 1426.

Later life

Redman died in 1426 and was buried in the Church of the Black Friars, York. An elaborate memorial to him was installed in Harewood church, Yorkshire, where his estates lay. He had married twice, secondly to Elizabeth, the daughter of William, 1st Lord Aldeburgh of Aldeburgh and Harewood, and sister and co-heiress of William, 2nd Lord Aldeburgh and widow of Sir Brian Stapleton of Carlton, with whom he had at least two sons and two daughters. His surviving son, Matthew Redman, died before him in 1419 and he was succeeded by his grandson, Richard.Richard Redman,the Bishop of Exeter, was most likely his great-grandson.

References

• History of Parliament- REDMAYNE, Sir Richard (d. 1426) of Levens, Westmorland and Harewood, Yorks