The family of Albini (Aubigny) was from Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny in the present day French département Manche. After the Norman conquest, the castle of Arundel was first possessed by Roger de Montgommery, who was created an earl in 1067 and is generally recognised as Earl of Shrewsbury. His son, Robert de Bellême Comte d'Alençon and Earl of Shrewsbury lost his English honours and estates after his attainder in 1102. Arundel castle was retained by the crown until it was settled on William de Albini on his marriage to Queen Adelisa, widow of King Henry I, as her second husband in [1138/39]. He was created Earl of Arundel by King Stephen in [1142], although he is also referred to as Earl of Chichester and Earl of Sussex. On the death without male heirs of Hugh de Albini Earl of Arundel in 1243, the title reverted to the crown. The castle and honour of Arundel were inherited by Hugh´s nephew John FitzAlan, the son of his older sister Isabel. The FitzAlan family did not use the title Earl of Arundel until it was awarded to John's grandson, Richard FitzAlan, in 1289 by King Edward I. After the attainder of Edmund FitzAlan Earl of Arundel in 1326, the title was given to Edmund Earl of Kent, son of Edward I King of England, but it was forfeited once more after the attainder of Earl Edmund in 1330. Richard FitzAlan, son of his predecessor, was fully restored to his honours by King Edward III in 1331. Yet another interval in the tenure of the FitzAlan family followed the attainder of Richard FitzAlan in 1397, after which John de Holand Duke of Exeter was granted the castle and honour of Arundel. It is not clear whether he was ever created Earl of Arundel but, whatever the case, all his honours were forfeited after his own attainder in 1400. After helping King Henry IV to the throne, Thomas FitzAlan was fully restored to his father's honours in 1400 and thereby became Earl of Arundel. The supremacy of the earldom over all other earldoms was confirmed in 1446 after this precedence was challenged by Thomas Courtenay Earl of Devon[2]. The earldom passed to the Howard family after the death in 1580 of Henry FitzAlan Earl of Arundel, the late earl being succeeded by his grandson Philip Howard Earl of Surrey.
WILLIAM d'Aubigny, son of GUILLAUME d'Aubigny "Pincerna" & his wife Matilda le Bigod (after 1100-Waverley Abbey 12 Oct 1176, bur Wymondham, Norfolk). A memorandum of the foundation of Wymondham Priory records that "Willielmus de Albaneio, pincerna regis Henrici" had "unum filium Willielmum comitem Arundeliæ"[3]. "Willielmus de Albeneyo, pincerna Henrici regis Anglorum" donated property to Wymondham priory, assisted by "uxoris suæ Matilidis filiæ…Rogeri Bigot" by undated charter, witnessed by "filii…eiusdem Willielmi, Nigellus et Oliverus"[4]. He acquired the castle and honour of Arundel through his marriage. He was created Earl of Lincoln in [1139], lost this earldom to William de Roumare, and was created Earl of Arundel or Sussex in [1141]. "W comes Cicestrie…et regina Adelide" granted land at Wymondham, Norfolk to the church of St Lazarus of Jerusalem by charter dated to [1150], witnessed by "Rogero de Albineio…"[5]. Robert of Torigny records the death in 1177 of "Willermus de Albineio…comitem d'Arundel"[6]. Ralph de Diceto records the death "IV Id Oct…apud Waverleie", in 1176 from the context, of "Willelmus de Aubini comes de Arundel" and his burial "apud Wimundeham XIV Kal Nov"[7].
m ([1136/Sep 1139]) as her second husband, ADELISA de Louvain, widow of HENRY I King of England, daughter of GODEFROI V "le Barbu" Duke of Lower Lotharingia, Comte de Louvain & his first wife Ida de Chiny Ctss de Namur ([1103/06]-Afflighem Abbey 23/24 Mar or 23 Apr 1151, bur Afflighem Abbey). The Genealogia Ducum Brabantiæ Heredum Franciæ names (in order) "Alaida…Anglorum regina…comitissa de Cleves Ida…[et] Clarissia virgo" as the three daughters of "Godefridus Cum-barba"[8]. The Balduini Ninovensis Chronicon records the marriage of "Henricus rex Anglorum" and "Athelam filiam Godefridi ducis Lotharingie" in 1121[9]. Orderic Vitalis names her and her father[10]. The castle and honour of Arundel was settled on Queen Adelisa after her first husband died. Robert of Torigny records that "Willermi de Albinaio quem vocant comitem de Arundel" married "Aelizam reginam relictam Henrici senioris regis Anglorum"[11]. In another passage, Robert of Torigny confirms that she was the mother of her husband's four sons[12]. Adelisa became a nun at Affleghem Abbey, near Aalst in Brabant in 1149/50. The Annals of Margan record the death in 1151 of "Adelidis, regina secunda Henrici regis"[13]. The Continuatio Chronici Afflegemiensis records that "Godefridus cum barba Dux Lotharingiæ…filia…Aleidis" married "Regi Angliæ" in 1121, died "IX Kal Mai" and was buried at Afflighem after the death of her second husband[14]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "25 Mar" of "Adelicia regina"[15].
Earl William & his wife had eight children