Richard Belasyse enjoyed the patronage of Cardinal Wolsey, who held the see of Durham from 1523 to 1529. By 1527, he had been appointed Constable of Durham Castle. Later, he joined The Council of the North; perhaps through the influence of his younger brother, Anthony. He was also appointed one of Henry VIII's Commissioners of the North to oversee the surrenders of the monasteries in the northern counties. In 1539, he received various grants of lands from this work, including the lease of Newburgh Priory, which passed as a grant to Anthony. He possessed the manors of Henknoll, Bradwood, Barington, Scole-Acle, Morton, Heighington and Pelton and lands in other manors, including Bleatarn in Co. Westmorland. This last one he bequeathed to his son Richard, who bequeathed lands to his nephew, Bryan.