[2] In 1136, Gilbert fitz Gilbert led an expedition against Exmes and burned parts of the town, including the church of Notre Dame, but was interrupted by the forces of William III, Count of Ponthieu, and escaped the resulting melee only after suffering heavy losses.

[3] Gilbert was a Baron, that is, a tenant-in-chief in England, and inherited the estates of his paternal uncles, Roger and Walter, which included the baronies and castles of Bienfaite and Orbec in Normandy.

He held the lordship of Nether Gwent and the castle of Striguil (later Chepstow).

King Stephen created him Earl of Pembroke, and gave him the rape and castle of Pevensey.

However, the Earl appears to have made his peace with Stephen before his death the following year.