Country France Department Manche Intercommunality Sèves et Taute Area 15.16 km² | Region Normandy Canton Périers Population (2006) 522 Arrondissement Coutances | |
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Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.
Contents
Map of 50190 Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny, France
History
The name of d'Aubigny, has changed orthographically through the ages. Albiniaco, Albineio, and Albiniacum each indicates that the origin of the name is the domain or House of Albinus (Aubin). Chief place of a small barony, the village was the seat of a powerful Anglo-Norman family whose members accompanied William the Conqueror during his conquest of England and received many fiefs d'outre-Manche, i.e. manors "across the channel" in England. The name of d'Aubigny was extinguished in the male line in England in the 13th century. Even so, the House of Aubigny is, by process of remarriage and name changes, directly implicated in the foundation of the "second" House of Montbray.
Guillaume d'Aubigny (d. ca. 1056), seigneur d'Aubigny, had three sons who were involved the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and rewarded with lands in England its aftermath. Roger d'Aubigny (d. after 1081) was noted for his donations to the church, confirmed by William the Conqueror and his son Henry I. Nigel d'Aubigny (d. ) and his offspring were referred to in England as de Albini, an older form of the village name. Richard was the third son.