Richard FitzNeal was born
in about 1130. In 1158 the Bishop of Ely paid Henry
II to appoint
Richard FitzNeal his son, as his treasurer. Richard held the post
for the next forty years.
In 1177 Henry II asked
him to write a book about his work. The book, Dialogue
Concerning the Exchequer, is an important source of information
on government finances in the 12th century.
As well as being treasurer,
FitzNeal was also the bishop of London
from 1189 until his death in
1198.
The
Normans: Classroom Activities
(1)
In his book, Dialogue of the Exchequer, the author Richard
FitzNeal includes a question from one of his pupils, (c. 1180)
Master,
why do you not teach others that knowledge of the Exchequer for which
vou are famous, and put it into writing lest it should die with you?
(2)
In his book, Dialogue Concerning the Exchequer, Richard
FitzNeal described the introduction
of scutage.
(c. 1180)
When the realm is threatened or attacked by enemies, the
king orders that a certain sum, usually one pound, shall be paid by
each knight, and from this source are derived the soldiers' wages.
For King Henry prefers to expose foreign mercenaries rather than his
native knights to the fortunes of war.
(3)
Richard FitzNeal, Dialogue of the Exchequer (c. 1180)
After the conquest, those English who were left used to lie
in wait for the dreaded and hated Normans. They killed them in secluded
places.. The kings for some years inflicted the most terrible tortures
on the English, yet without effect, till at length they imagined the
following device. Wherever a Norman was found killed, if the killer
didn't show himself or even betray himself by flight, then the whole
of the district was fined.
(4)
Richard FitzNeal, Dialogue Concerning the Exchequer (c. 1180)
He (William the Conqueror) dispatched the most honest men
in his court on circuit throughout the kingdom. In this manner, and
by these agents, a careful survey was made of the whole country.
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