Richard Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford of Clifton

Richard Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford of Clifton (died 13 August 1380), Lord of Clifton, was an English soldier and diplomat.

Stafford was the second son of Edmund de Stafford and Margaret Basset. Richard was involved in the French campaigns of King Edward III of England during the Hundred Years' War. In 1337, Stafford was sent with others on an embassy to the courts of William II, Count of Hainaut and Reginald II, Count of Guelders, as well as Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. Richard participated in the victory at Cadzand and was in the King's army at present at the bloodless meeting of the English and French armies in October 1339 at Vironfosse. Stafford was also prominent during 1345 in Gascony at the siege of Bergerac, commanded the garrison at Libourne, and assisted in the relief of Auberoche and the attack on La Réole. Richard was at the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and was afterwards sent by Edward III with Reginald de Cobham, 1st Baron Cobham, to count the slain. He was also at the Siege of Calais between 1346 and 1347. Following the Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales into France in 1355, he was sent by him with letters to England in December, rejoining his army afterwards, and fought at the Battle of Poitiers on 19 September 1356. Richard accompanied Edward III on his expedition to France in October 1359. He was appointed to the office of Seneschal of Gascony in 1361 and served until 8 June 1362. During 1366, Richard was appointed to go on an embassy, accompanied by his son Richard, to the papal court. Summoned to parliament, as Baron Stafford of Clifton, on 8 January 1371, and regularly summoned until 1379. He died on 13 August 1380 and was buried at the St Andrew's Church, Clifton Campville, Staffordshire. A memorial brass is located within St Peter's Church, Elford, Staffordshire.

Richard married firstly Isabel, heiress of Clifton-Camville, daughter of Richard de Vernon and Maud de Camville, they had the following known issue:

• Richard Stafford, died without issue before his father.
• Edmund Stafford (died 1419), Bishop of Exeter, Chancellor of England, Keeper of the Privy Seal.
• Thomas Stafford, died without issue.
• Maud Stafford, married Thomas d'Arderne, had issue.
• Katherine Stafford, married John Arden, had issue.

He married secondly Maud, daughter of John de Stafford and Elizabeth de Somerville, they had no children.

Stafford also is known to have had the following illegitimate issue:

• Nicholas Stafford of Throwley (died 1394), married Elizabeth Meverel, died without issue.
• John Stafford