Gilbert of Lisieux

It was Gilbert who was sent to seek Pope Alexander II's blessing for William's plan to invade England and oust Harold Godwinsson (1066). Apparently, without considering the other side of the arguement, Pope Alexander (a former student under Lanfranc), granted his blessing to the invasion of England. In addition, he gave Gilbert a banner to be carried into battle, and according to Wace, a tooth of St. Peter.

At the time of the Domesday Survey (1086), Gilbert had holdings in Yorkshire, and church holdings in Dorset, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, Oxforshire, and Wiltshire.

It was reputed that not only was Gilbert Chaplain and Physician to King William I of England, but that he was also a keen astrologer.(*)


(*) L. Thorndike "History of Magic and Experimental Science" (Pub: Columbia University Press. NY 1958)