Research Notes:

Fulbert has traditionally been held to be a tanner, based on translations of Orderic's additions to the Gesta Normannorum Ducum. He writes that during the siege of Alençon (1051-2), the natives had been mutilated by William after they called him a pelliciarius (pelterer), because his mother's kinsmen had been pollinctores (corpse preparers). One later poetic source interpreted the occupation to be that of tailor, but in part due to flawed transcripts of the original, many historians have concluded he was a tanner. Others have favoured a more literal reading, that Herleva's family had been undertakers or embalmers.

Orderic also added to the Gesta that Fulbert served as the Duke's chamberlain (cubicularii ducis). It has been suggested that this occurred after William's birth. Perhaps linking Orderic's two additions, contemporary practice made the chamberlain one of the persons responsible for burials. ²