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Kin of Mellcene Thurman Smith

Sir Nigel d'Albini, who came to England with the Conqueror and obtained several extensive lordships after the Battle of Hastings. He was knighted by Henry I, who conferred many grants and favors upon him, and so attached him to his sovereign that he served him faithfully in his cause against Robert Curthose (Robert of Normandy, Crusader), the King's brother, whom he captured and delivered over to King Henry, for which he had further rich grants of confiscated manors. For distinguished military services in Normandy he was remunerated by a royal grant of the forfeited lands and castles of his maternal uncle, Robert de Mowbray, both in Normandy and England. These grants made him possessor of 240 knight's fees, and consequently one of the most influential barons of his time. He died at an advanced age and was buried with his ancestors in the Abbey of Bec in Normandy. He married first his Aunt Maud (wife of his Uncle Robert), daughter of Richard, Baron Aquila. by papal dispensation, her husband Robert aforesaid being then alive, but in prison for rebellion. From her, by whom he had no issue, he was separated by the Pope on account of consanguinity and the scandal the marriage caused. He married 2nd in 1118 Gundreda, daughter of Gerald, second Baron de Gournay by his wife Edith, daughter of William de Warren, first Earl of Surrey and his wife Gundreda, daughter of William the Conqueror. By his 2nd wife he had Roger.
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