[1] Giffard was the brother of Walter and the sister of Rohese, wife of Richard fitz Gilbert.

[7] He was one of the bishops elect whom Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury refused to consecrate in 1101 as having been nominated and invested by the lay power.

[8] During the investitures dispute Giffard was on friendly terms with Anselm and was banished for declining to accept consecration from Gerard Archbishop of York in 1103.

[8] Among Giffard's actions as bishop was the refounding of a religious house at Taunton and the staffing of it with Austin canons.

[10] He was known for the close and good relations that he had with the monks of his cathedral chapter, sharing their meals and sleeping with them instead of in his own room.