Pace Network home page

RICHARD PACE - THE DEAN

From: The Pace Family, 1607-1750,Compiled by Frieda Reid Turner, Copyright 1993 by Eleanor Pace Terrill.  Distributed by Pace Society of America.

The story of an earlier Richard Pace

From: JERVIS WEGG, Richard Pace a Tudor Diplomatist - Methuen & Co., Ltd. London

Richard Pace is believed to have been born about 1483 and died in Hampshire, England, in 1536. King Richard III came to the throne in 1483, and made his Christian name popular.⁽¹⁾ During his [Richard Pace's]  lifetime, his name was written ten different ways, PACEY by Thomas Cromwell, PACY by John Fox, PACIF by Sir Richard Wingfield, PASSE by one of Wolsey's instructions and by a Spanish ambassador, PAXE by Wolsey when he knew little of him and PACEE in the French translation of a sermon printed in Paris soon after Richard had delivered it. Richard was PASEO to Margaret of Austria, the Venetians usually called him PANZEO. Erasmus latinized his name into PACOEUS, but his own translation was PACEUS ⁽²⁾. So you see, the name of PACE has come a long way through the years.

Richard Pace was of good family, had studious habits, high principles, good nature and more than usual intelligence. He was a remarkable linguist, and had tremendous tenacity and great industry. To these good qualities he added a love of letters and music, but his health was always poor, and be easily became overexcited. To fill his empty pockets, he turned to the service of prelates and the crown. And almost the only way to success lay through the church, so by that way he had to go. ⁽³⁾

Richard owed his education to Thomas Langston, Bishop of Winchester, whose secretary he became. Langston was Bishop from 1493 to 150l, therefore Richard went to Langston in 1493 when he was about ten years old. Langston noticed that Richard was advanced in music, far beyond his years, and said "this boy's talents are born for higher things." Soon Richard was sent to Italy, to Padua University, then at the top of his fame, to study Letters and Langston generously provided for the annual expenses. (⁴)

Richard Pace is believed to have studied at Queen's College, Oxford, but we do not know exactly when. Since Langston died in January 1501, Richard's expenses in Italy most likely began about 1498. Since students attended Oxford at a very young age, Richard could have been there when be was around thirteen years old after which he went to Italy. ⁽⁵⁾

Richard Pace studied in Italy eight to ten years and was made secretary to Christopher Bainbridge. In 1508 Bainbridge had been created Cardinal and then elected Archbishop of York, so he needed an efficient staff and a fine train of servants, the chance for which young Richard bad been hoping had come and he was lucky to be in the service of Bainbridge. ⁽⁶⁾

To live in Rome, even to visit Rome, was the desire of every cultured Christian and Richard had spent his first winter there. The musician in him must have loved to listen to the choirs and organs in the basilicas, and the hundred churches and monasteries. While in Rome he tells how much time he spent reading in the Vatican Library, partly in books on music. ⁽⁷⁾

Bainbridge probably sent Richard to England in the spring of 1514, if not before, to transact some business, having the isolation of France as its object. Richard was made Archdeacon of Dorset on the 20th of May 1514. He was in Zurich to persuade the Swiss to invade France simultaneously with the English. Before any decision of the Diet was reached, Richard Pace received the news that Bainbridge was dead. So Richard was not with his old master at the time of his death, for he died on the l4th of July. Richard and Burbank, the steward, were the executors of the Cardinal's estate.

When Richard Pace got back to Rome he discovered that everyone was saying that Bainbridge bad been murdered. As executor of the estate, it was Richard's duty to see to the prosecution of the murderer. Richard knew Rome, Venice, Milan, Ferrara, and the cantons of Switzerland. Richard bad done so well that Wolsey wanted him in his service to see if he was good enough for that of the King. Richard returned to England in 1515. ⁽⁹⁾

For the next several years, Richard served the King, Henry VIII, traveling from England to other European countries on the King's business. On February 12, 1518, as the King's new secretary, Richard received a grant of arms, which enhanced his reputation. lt made a gentleman of him and afterwards Richard began to be very busy with affairs of state. ⁽¹⁰⁾

The year 1519 saw Richard at the Peak of his prosperity. He was in favor with the King, the Cardinal, he was rich, successful, and as well in health as ever he was to be. ⁽¹¹⁾ Richard was Dean of St. Paul's and Vicar of Stepney. ^(12).

Once again Richard was sent abroad on the King's business and after some time he became sick and wanted to return to England. The Cardinal Wolsey was jealous of Richard's friendship with the King and thought up ways to keep Richard from returning to England. ⁽¹³⁾

The year 1527 is an end-point in the story of Richard's active life. ⁽¹⁴⁾ A young man by the name of Thomas Pace was sent to care for Richard during his illness. lt is almost certain the young man was kin to him. ⁽¹⁵⁾

Richard Pace died 28 June 1536 and is buried in the Church of St. Dunstan, Stepney, near the great altar, at the south side of the chancel. ⁽¹⁶⁾

References:

JERVIS WEGG, Richard Pace a Tudor Diplomatist - Methuen & Co., Ltd. London.