This is a memorial ring for the Bishop of London, Richard Osbaldeston (1690-1764). It is inscribed MEMENTO (Remember) and RICH: EPIS: LONDON: OB: 15.MAY 1764. AET. 75. (Richard, Bishop of London, died 15 May 1764 aged 75). Memorial rings have been made to commemorate people since the sixteenth century. Money was often left in wills in order for rings to be made for named individuals or to be distributed at the funeral. A general convention holds that white enamel rings were used for children and those who died unmarried and that black was used for those who were married but this convention was not universally observed. Richard Osbaldeston was married twice but died without an heir.

Richard Osbaldeston was a member of a prominent Yorkshire family, son of the MP Sir Richard Osbaldeston. He was a Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge before being ordained to the priesthood in 1714. He served as Chaplain in Ordinary to George II and III and as tutor to George III. In 1747, he became Bishop of Carlisle, and in 1762, Bishop of London and Dean of the Royal Chapels. He was buried in his home parish of Hunmanby, East Riding of Yorkshire. According to his archdeacon Charles Moss 'a general knowledge of the world, and of business, a gentlemanly address and deportment, a just sense of his own dignity and a becoming zeal for the interests of religion, are valuable qualities in a Christian Bishop'. He was particularly interested in religious conformity in the Americas and left five hundred pounds for the maintenance of a bishop or bishops.

Mourning rings for his brothers Fountayne Wentworth and William Osbaldeston are also in the museum collection.