He was the eighth child and youngest son of John IV, Duke of Brittany, and his third wife, Joan of Navarre.

Philip occupied the duchy and held it personally until 1434, after which he gave it to his cousin, John II, Count of Nevers.

Coincidentally, Henry's wife, Margaret of Anjou, was the step-daughter of Jeanne de Laval, who was a granddaughter of Richard's brother, John VI, Duke of Brittany.

By the time of Richard's death, he had predeceased the remaining claimants to his father's title, save his only legitimate son, Francis II.

As a result, Francis II succeeded Richard, his father, as Count of Étampes and Arthur III, his uncle, as Duke of Brittany.