William fitz Giroie

[2] When Arnold died from an accidental fall in 1041, William was his heir and, less the smaller holdings that went to his two younger brothers, he inherited most of his father's lands.

[5] He discovered the ruins of an old church dedicated to St. Peter the apostle and surveyed the area for what became the restored Abbey of Saint-Evroul, so named for its original founder St.

William advised his nephews to work with him to restore the ancient abbey of Saint Evroul and, with generous endowments from many of the fitz Giroie family, it was completed in 1050.

He wandered until he was taken in by the de Montgomery family whose son Roger agreed to marry his daughter Mabel in return for the lands William lost.

[12] His son, William de Montreuil, had just distinguished himself on his mission for Pope Alexander II as commander of his papal forces in Campania and had treasures he wanted to donate to the abbey of Saint Evroul in Normandy.

When William, now a monk at Bec, heard of the request he volunteered to go to Apulia to meet with his son and bring back the gifts for Saint Evroul.

[13] The abbot Theodoric reluctantly agreed to let his friend, now old and blind, to go on this mission accompanied by another monk, Humphrey, Roger of Jumegiès and twelve attendants.