[1] Richard was born before 1101 to Henry and a woman named Ansfride, widow of Aanskill (origins unknown).
Richard supported his father in his war with Louis VI of France, although it is unclear at what point he joined the fight with the English forces.
According to Orderic Vitalis, he avoided capture by French forces at Les Andelys in 1119 through the help of Ralph the Red of Pont-Echanfray.
[2] Richard continued to fight at his father’s side during the siege of the castle of Évreux being held by Henry’s most detested enemy, Amaury III de Montfort.
His last known military adventure was at the Battle of Brémule on 20 August 1119, for which the decisive win by the English led to Louis’ accepting Richard’s half-brother William Adelin as Duke of Normandy.