Richard Oldham

Who was Richard Oldham?

Richard Oldham was a pre-Reformation cleric who served as the Bishop of Sodor and Man in the second half of the 15th-century.

He was elected Abbot of Chester in 1455 and appointed Bishop of Sodor and Man on 11 or 15 February 1478, holding both posts until his death. Contemporary records reveal some acrimony between Oldham and the townsfolk of Chester. In 1474 and 1478, the Exchequer of Chester guaranteed his safety and that of his monks, and in a later turnaround of events in 1480 he and twelve fellow monks were themselves bound over to keep the peace in the city.

He died in office either on 13 October 1485 or 19 September 1486 and was buried at Chester Abbey.