Although in effective control of the government, Peter was unable to counter the court intrigues, led by a faction around the Queen-regent's cousin, Gilbert, Count of Gravina, which paralysed the Kingdom.
The latter's efforts to combat corruption in the Sicilian administration soon led to an attack against Muslims or suspected crypto-Muslims, and a clash with the palace eunuchs, whose chief Richard was.
[10] In autumn, he began marshalling his forces for a coup: these included, beside his own household troops, the royal knights (milites regis) and the court archers (curie sagitari), whose backing he had won through gifts and favours.
However, the chancellor moved the king and the court to Messina, where he was able to neutralize his Norman opponents, the queen regent's brother, Henry, Count of Montescaglioso, and Richard of Molise.
[11] According to the history of Hugo Falcandus, when Stephen returned with the king and court to Palermo on 20 March 1168, Richard and other courtiers plotted to have him assassinated on Palm Sunday, four days later.
[12] This marked the high point of Stephen's power, but events soon began to turn against him, as a popular revolt broke out in Messina and spread across the island.
[18] Richard also held a position as one of the directors of the dīwān al-taḥqīq (the "bureau of verification", the executive department of the government, rendered as duana de secretis in Latin) until March 1187, which is the last time he is attested in the sources.