richard rich, 1st baron rich (july 1496 – 12 june 1567), was lord chancellor during king edward vi of england's reign, from 1547 until january 1552. he was the founder of felsted school with its associated alms houses in essex in 1564. he was a beneficiary of the dissolution of the monasteries, and persecuted perceived opponents of the king and their policies. he played a role in the trials of catholic martyrs thomas more and john fisher as well as that of protestant martyr anne askew.