Richard Beeard

Richard Beeard, also Berde, (fl. 1553-1574) was an English hymn writer.
He was admitted to the rectory of St Mary-at-Hill, London, 31 May 1560, and was deprived of the living in 1574. He was the author of: 1 . 'A Godly Psalm of Mary Queen,' with psalm tunes in four parts, 1553. 2. 'Alphabetum primum Beeardi,' a poem of fifty-six short lines printed as a broadside, without date, by William Copland. 3. An untitled piece of verse of forty-four lines, signed by Beeard, beginning 'M. Harry Whobals man to M. Camel greetes,' printed on a sheet without place, printer's name, or date. A copy of the first is in Trinity College Library, Cambridge, and copies of the last two are in the library of the Society of Antiquaries. In Strype's 'Annals,' iv. 512-516, the dedication to Queen Elizabeth I of a manuscript work by Richard Beard 'concerning the doctrine of justification' is printed at length.