SOURCE: H. R. Bramley, in an introduction to The Psalter or Psalms of David and Certain Canticles, translated by Richard Rolle, Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1884, pp. v-xvii.

In his introduction to Rolle's commentary on the Psalms, Bramley recounts Rolle 's biography and summarizes his doctrine, relying mostly on the Office made shortly after his death by the nuns of Hampole. Bramley also expands on this text by collating Rolle's life with the larger political scene.

Richard Rolle, better known from the place of his death and burial as Hampole¹, was a famous preacher and highly venerated hermit in Yorkshire, during the former half of the fourteenth century.

The day of his death seems to be clearly fixed to September 29, 1349.

The day appropriated to his memory was January 20.

An office was drawn up for this Festival², probably under the direction of the nuns of Hampole, in anticipation of...