Richard Mayew (1439/40–1516), also written Mayo, was an English academic, who became Bishop of Hereford (1504 to 1516) and a diplomat for Henry VII of England.

Biography

Mayew was born in Hungerford, Berkshire, England. He was President of Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1480 to 1507; previously he had been a Fellow of New College, Oxford, and was brought in by William Waynflete. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1484–5, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1502.

18th-century view of Magdalen Tower

He laid the foundation stone of Magdalen Tower on 9 August 1492. The tower was completed in 1509, by which time he had left Oxford.

He was collated Archdeacon of Oxford in 1493 and Archdeacon of the East Riding in 1501 and was elevated to the bishopric of Hereford and the position of Lord Almoner in 1504. In 1501, he was one of the party who brought Catherine of Aragon from Spain for her marriage to Prince Arthur, a mission commemorated in tapestries.

Mayew was buried at Hereford Cathedral.

Academic offices
Preceded byWilliam TybardPresident of Magdalen College, Oxford 1480–1507Succeeded byJohn Claymond
Preceded byRobert Wrangwais, William SuttonVice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford 1484–1485Succeeded byJohn Taylor
Preceded byWilliam SmythChancellor of the University of Oxford 1502–1506Succeeded byWilliam Warham
Catholic Church titles
Preceded byAdriano CastellesiBishop of Hereford 1504–1516Succeeded byCharles Booth