Richard was probably the son of Robert de Courcy, and his mother was named Herleva.
[6] Most of the nobility of both England and Normandy chose sides between the two sons, but a few magnates witnessed documents of both brothers.
[2] Richard, along with Hugh de Grandmesnil, resisted the efforts of Robert of Bellême to expand his lands.
Shortly before Christmas in 1090, a small war broke out between Robert of Bellême on one side and Richard and Hugh on the other.
The siege was lifted when King William landed in Normandy in late January or early February.