• Born: Ardennes, Champagne-Ardenne, France
• Married: 887-888
• Died: 1 Sep 921, Auxerre, Yonne, Bourgogne, France

  Research Notes:

The Annales Bertiniani name "Richardus frater Bosonis" when recording that, after the capture of Vienne by the forces of King Carloman, he took “uxorem Bosonis et filiam eius” back to “comitatum suum Augustudensem” in 882. Gingins-la-Sarra suggests that Richard was the uterine brother of King Boson, their mother having married secondly Theoderic [VI] “le Trésorier” Comte d´Autun. He refers to the testament dated to [Jan 876] of Ekkehard Comte d´Autun, possibly the brother of Theoderic [VI], which names "…Theoderico et Richardo filio eius…" among the beneficiaries. He identifies “Richardo” with the future duke of Burgundy, although there seems to be no basis for assuming that this co-identity is correct other than the name. The name Richard is well-established in the Bosonid family, which does not appear to be the case in the Theoderic/Nibelung family to which Theoderic [VI] belonged, where it was probably recently introduced through Theoderic´s wife (Settipani suggests that she was the sister of King Boson´s father. In addition, Richard Duke of Burgundy named one of his sons Boson, although this is not conclusive for establishing his paternity as the name also appears in Duke Richard´s maternal line. On the other hand, none of the typical names of the Theoderic/Nibelung family appear among the descendants of Duke Richard. In any case, the chronology does not appear favourable. Richard is named as count in 876. If he had been King Boson´s uterine brother, he could not have been more than ten years old at the time, which is incompatible with his bearing the comital title. Gingins-la-Sarra´s hypothesis cannot be dismissed entirely. However, it is a convoluted interpretation of the otherwise simple statement in the Annales Bertiniani that Richard was King Boson´s brother. Unless further information comes to light in other sources, it is suggested that the simple explanation is the best. An agreement dated Feb 876 of Charles II "le Chauve" King of the West Franks names "Bosonis…ducis et sacri palatii archiministri atque imperiali missi, Richardi comitis…" as present in Italy with the king, although it fails to specify the family relationship between them. "Richardus comes" is named as present in a charter dated 4 Sep 876 under which Emperor Charles II "le Chauve" granted property "villam…Piredus in pago Senonico". He presumably assumed the role of his brother Boson as missus in Italy in early 877, when the latter was recalled by Emperor Charles II. "Richardi comitis, Teutbaldi comitis, Bernardi comitis" subscribed the charter dated 25 Jul 879 under which "Boso…et coniunx mea Hirmingardi proles imperiales" donated property "in pago Laticense…in villa Lantinus" to the abbey of Montiérender.

Comte d'Autun. At first sight, this might appear to provide the missing connection with Theoderic [VI], who was also Comte d´Autun. However, it is recorded that King Boson disputed Theoderic´s right to the county, in which case it is unlikely that he would have awarded it to Theoderic´s son. Richard established himself in the future duchy of Burgundy, north of his brother's realm, with his capital at Autun. “Carlomannus…Rex” restored property “villam Taniacum” to the church of Autun, at the request of “Richardi Comiti Augustodensis”, by charter dated 1 Dec 880, the text ending with “Theodoricus Comes ambasciavit”.

He was invested as lay abbot of Saint-Symphorien by Carloman King of the East Franks in 880. He led the Carolingian army which besieged his brother King Boson at Vienne in 882. The counties in Burgundy, except Mâcon, submitted to him. He succeeded his wife's uncle Hugues l'Abbé as Comte d'Auxerre in 886. He was later known as RICHARD "le Justicier" Duke of Burgundy, although it is unlikely that he was considered at the time as founder of a unified duchy of Burgundy as such, rather as the suzerain of various counties who held the title "duke". "Richardo marchione…eius filiis Rodulpho, Hugone atque Bosone…comitibus" were present at the restitution of property at "Tiliniaco et Canavis" by charter dated 5 Sep 901. Guillaume de Jumièges records that Rollo besieged “Carnotenam urbem” [Chartres] but was forced to withdraw by "Richardus Burgundionum dux...cum...Antelmus episcopus". A charter dated 5 Sep 918 records the restitution of “res Sancti Nazarii sitas in villa...Canavas ad Tiliniacum” to the church of Autun, in the presence of “Domno Richardo...Marchione...et...illius filiis Rodulfo atque Bozone”.

The death of "Richardus marchio de Burgundia" is recorded by Flodoard in 921. The Annales S. Benigni Divisionensis record the death "II Kal Sep 921" of "Ricardus comes". The Historia Francorum Senonensis records the death "Kal Sep" of "Richardus dux Burgundiæ", and his burial "in basilica sanctæ Columbæ". The sacrementaire of Sens cathedral records the death "III Kal Oct" of "Ricardi comitis". The necrology of Auxerre cathedral records the death 1 Sep of "Richardus comes". ¹