Remarks:
1st Earl of Shrewsbury and 1st Earl of Arundel. He was the scion of one of the greatest of the noble families of Normandy and his family connections were rather mixed. King William, William FitzOsborne, and Ralph de Mortimer were all his cousins . His brothers, on the other hand, were turbulent and disorderly and had brought no credit to the family name. One of them, William, had plotted the assassination of duke William and had killed FitzOsborne's father in the attempt. Roger himself was a firm supporter of duke William and enjoyed his favor and confidence. Roger's possessions included Montgomery and L'Hiemois, and, through marriage, Bellme, Alenon, and SŽez. He was active in support of the invasion of England, but he did not accompany the expedition, remaining in Normandy to assist the duchess in the government. He came to England for the first time in December, 1067, and at the Christmas festival was created earl, receiving, among other large grants from the Conqueror, about one third of Sussex, including the city of Chichester and the castle of Arundel. At some date between December 1 and December 4, 1074, he was granted the earldom of Shrewsbury, which included almost the whole of Shropshire, together with the castles of Shrewsbury and Montgomery, on the western frontier of England. He accumulated one of the largest estates in Domesday Book. On February 25, 1082/83, he founded the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter in Shrewsbury, placing his gloves on the alter of the church. Throughout the ConquerorÕs reign he was a constant attendant at court. During the rebellion of 1088 he seems to have sympathized with Robert Curthose, regarding him as the rightful heir, and provisioning his castles and putting them into a state of defence. It is not clear to what extent he openly sided with the rebels, but during the summer he was won over to Henry IÕs side. Later in 1088 he crossed to Normandy and fought against duke Robert. He conquered Deheubarth. He became the most powerful lord on the Welsh marches, and he was, perhaps more than any other single man, responsible for the massive conquest of southern Wales by the Normans. He was clothed as a monk three days before his death, and was buried in the abbey he had founded.