FITZ-OSBERN

fitz-osbern, roger (fl. 1070), succeeded to the earldom of hereford and the english estate of william fitz-osbern in 1071. he did not keep on good terms with william the conqueror, and in 1075, disregarding the king's prohibition, married his sister emma to ralph guader, earl of norfolk, at the famous bridal of norwich. immediately afterwards the two earls rebelled. but roger, who was to bring his force from the west to join the earl of norfolk, was held in check at the severn by the worcestershire fyrd which the english bishop wulfstan brought into the field against him. on the collapse of his confederate's rising, roger was tried before the great council, deprived of his lands and earldom, and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment; but he was released, with other political prisoners, at the death of william i. in 1087.