[5] Roger II de Montgomery was already a favourite of Duke William and by being given in marriage to Mabel it increased his fortunes even further.
[6] Her husband Roger had not participated in the Norman conquest of England, but had remained behind in Normandy as co-regent along with William's wife, Matilda of Flanders.
[8] He joined the king in England in 1067 and was rewarded with the earldom of Shrewsbury and a number of estates to the point that he was one of the largest landholders in the Domesday Book.
[9] Of all of Orderic’s female subjects Mabel was the most cunning and treacherous; if not entirely for her own misdeeds then as the mother of Robert de Bellême, who had a reputation for savagery as well as cruelty.
[10] In one passage Orderic describes her as "small, very talkative, ready enough to do evil, shrewd and jocular, extremely cruel and daring.
[17] Her epitaph is notable as an example of monks bowing more to “the partiality of her friends than to her own merits": Sprung from the noble and the brave, Here Mabel finds a narrow grave.
Commanding, eloquent, and wise, And prompt to daring enterprise; Though slight her form, her soul was great, And, proudly swelling in her state, Rich dress, and pomp, and retinue, Lent it their grace and honours due.
The border’s guard, the country’s shield, Both love and fear her might revealed, Till Hugh, revengeful, gained her bower, In dark December’s midnight hour.