The Twelve Patriarchs is his preparation of the soul for contemplation. The framework is a scriptural allegory based on the story of Jacob. His Mystical Ark completes this study. In his Book Three of the Trinity we see Richard's doctrinal basis for the spiritual conclusions of his earlier work.He can enlighten us concerning the relevance of symbols and symbolic structures as modes of communication. One of the great mystics of the Christian Tradition, Richard is the link between the early tradition of Pseudo-Dionysius and the great mystical awakening in Medieval Europe. For his genius in bringing together both the Latin and Greek Traditions all contemplatives owe him a great debt. Born in twelfth century, Scotland, he joined the Abbey of St. Victor in Paris where he became Superior and Prior.