leading with Bishop Odo a large army against Ralph de Guader, the rebel Earl of Norfolk, besieging and capturing his stronghold at Norwich. Meanwhile, the Conqueror had invested him with important judicial functions. In 1072 he presided over the great Kentish suit between the primate and Bishop Odo, and about the same time over those between the abbot of Ely and his despoilers, and between the Bishop of Worcester and the abbot of Ely, and he likely acted as a Domesday commissioner (1086), and was placed about the same time in charge of Northumberland. He also signed the Accord of Winchester. The bishop, who attended the Conqueror's funeral, joined in the rising against William Rufus in 1088, making Bristol, with which (as Domesday shows) he was closely connected and where he had built a strong castle, his base of operations. He burned Bath and ravaged Somerset, but submitted to the king before the end of the year. He appears to have been at Dover with William in January 1090, but, withdrawing to Normandy, died at Coutances in 1093. In his fidelity to Duke Robert he seems to have there held out for him against his brother Henry, when the latter obtained the Cotentin. His character Orderic Vitalis wrote that de Montbray took pride in his noble birth and was better known for his military rather than his clerical ability; he knew more about marshalling soldiers in battle than teaching psalm-singing clerks. He was an integral part of the close-knit aristocratic group that formed the majority of the Norman episcopate during the reign of Duke William. David C. Douglas states that their principal filiations may be displayed within two very restricted and connected pedigrees. Notes References Additional references Edward Augustus Freeman, Norman Conquest and William Rufus For original authorities: William of Poitiers Florence of Worcester Anglo-Saxon Chronicle William of Malmesbury's Gesta pontificum Lanfranc's works, ed. Giles Domesday Book 1093 deaths Companions of William the Conqueror Norman warriors 11th-century French Roman Catholic bishops Bishops of Coutances Year of birth unknown Devon Domesday Book tenants-in-chief