General Notes

This was one of the great houses of Normandy, the Avenels being the hereditary seneschals of the counts of Mortain. The castle of Les Biards in ancient times was a very powerful one, commanding the country round Mortain, but its importance lessened gradually as time wore on. Harold Avenel was a companion of Duke Rollo, and the first of the family to settle in Normandy. His descendant was Herve Avenal, baron of Biards, c. 1035. [Falaise Roll, p. 5]

Probably at least two generations missing here ...