General Notes

Roger I de Montgomery, who was the first to use the surname of Montgomer
y, was called one of the most powerful Norman Barons at the end of the ten
th century. He died in Paris about 1040 A.D. He married Josceline, daught
er of Senfrie, sister of the wife of Richard I. His sons were Hugo who di
ed before 1050, Robert and William who both also died before 1050, Gilbe
rt who was poisoned by his sister-in-law, Mabile de Belleme in 1063 A.D. a
nd our ancestor Roger de Montgomery II, Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury.
"Origin and History of the Montgomerys" by B.G. Montgomery of Sweden.
ROGER I DE MONTGOMERY
Gormeric's eldest son, William, had a son Hugo. His son Roger de Montgome
ry is the first member of the family of whom one knows with certainty th
at he used the surname. The French historian, the Vicomte Du Motey, cal
ls Roger 'one of the most powerful Norman Barons at the end of the tenth
century.'
William the Bastard, the name of the Norman Duke before he conquered Engla
nd and gained the prouder surname of the Conqueror, was the son of Robe
rt II and Arlette or Herleve, the daughter of one Fulbert, tanner of Falai
se. Judging by his great care of churches and monasteries, Roger must ha
ve been a very religious man. No wonder, therefore, that after Robert's de
ath he refused to recognize William, born out of wedlock, as the legitima
te heir to the throne. He and his sons Hugo and Robert organized the oppos
ition against the young Duke, whose guardian was Allan, Duke of Brittan
y. They struggled against heavy odds, since the Duke's supporters were f
ar more numerous, but Montgomery defended himself with great courage and t
enacity behind the walls of his castle. Allan died at Vimoutiers during t
he siege, but in the end Montgomery had to surrender. He was banished fr
om the country and went to France, where he was well received by Hen
ry I, who shared his views. Roger died in Paris about 1040. According to t
he Cartulary of Troarn, his wife Josceline was still alive in 1068.
During Roger's exile his sons remained in Normandy, continuing to fight f
or what they considered a just cause. This struggle eventually developed i
nto sheer vendetta. Allan's successor as guardian of the young Duke was Os
bern de Crepon, the son of Herfast, brother of Duchess Gunnor. He was a co
usin of Richard II and also of Roger de Montgomery's wife Josceline. In sp
ite of this kinship Osbern pitilessly persecuted Roger's sons, and o
ne of them, William, determined to capture the Duke, who lived with Osbe
rn in the strongly fortified castle of Vaudreuil. The guardian watched li
ke a hawk over his precious life, but one night William and his confederat
es managed to penetrate within the castle to the Duke's chamber. He was n
ot there, but Osbern, whom they found alone, was summarily strangled. Orde
ricus says that on this occasion the Duke's life was saved by his uncle Ga
utier, brother of Arlette, who had hidden him in his bed. Some days lat
er one of Osbern's men, Bamous de Glos, surprised William in his quarte
rs and killed him during his sleep. Now the vendetta was accomplished a
nd the way open to reconciliation between the Duke's party and the Montgom
erys.