Research Notes:

Master Marshal of the king's household under King Henry I.

The name of Gilbert’s wife is not known. It is possible that she was the heiress of William FitzAuger: the Testa de Nevill includes a writ of King John dated 1212 which records that, after the conquest, King William I granted "manerium de Boseham" in Surrey to "Willelmo filio Augeri", and that later "Willelmus Marescallus" (presumably identified as the future first Earl of Pembroke...) held the manor "[jure] hereditario". ¹

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Gilbert the Marshal, was the first known holder of the office. He with his son John successfully maintained their right under Henry I to the office of Master Marshal in the King's Household, for which they had been impleaded in the King's Court by Robert de Venoiz and William de Hastings (g). The name and parentage of Gilbert's wife are unknown. He d. in or shortly before 1130 (h). ²

(g) This appears from King John's confirmation, 20 Apr 1200, to William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. Gilbert may have been son or grandson of an otherwise unknown Robert, who in 1086 held Cheddar, Somerset, under Roger de Courseulles. Robert the Marshal, who in 1086 held Lavington, Wilts, in chief, has been suggested as the possible progenitor of the family, but this is unlikely, as in 1166 Lavington was held by Piers de la Mare.

(h) He left at least 2 sons, John abovenamed and William Giffard, who was presented to the church of Cheddar Hole, Somerset, and was admitted by Godfrey, Bishop of Bath (1122-35), which church was given to Bradenstoke Priory by his brother John. Unless there was another brother named William, he was Chancellor to the Empress Maud in 1141 and 1142. Presumably William was called "Giffard" as a nickname -- the chubby cheeked.