Richard Rolle was born in Yorkshire and was a contemporary of Julian of Norwich. By nature he had questions about everything, especially about the meaning of life. Although not a Franciscan himself, he was one with them in his love of God and delight in poverty and simplicity. His desire was always to know God rather than to know about God. He lived most of his life as a hermit, but never attached himself to any eremitical order. He believed that one can see how good a person is by how much they love.