Baldwin fitz Gilbert was a Norman nobleman, the son of Gilbert, Count of Brionne

Gilbert, Count of Brionne

Gilbert was a Norman noble, Count of Eu, and Count of Brionne in northern France.-Parentage:Gilbert was son of Geoffrey, Count of Eu who was an illegitimate child of Richard the Fearless.-Life:...

 who, along with his brother Richard fitz Gilbert

Richard Fitz Gilbert

Richard fitz Gilbert , was a Norman lord who participated in the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as "de Bienfaite", "de Clare", and "de Tonbridge".-Biography:...

, accompanied William, Duke of Normandy and participated in the conquest of England in 1066. He was also known as Baldwin de Meules et du Sap, Baldwin of Exeter, Baldwin de Redvers and Baldwin the Sheriff.. Baldwin was granted 164 manors in Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

, south-west England. He was originally from Meules.

In 1067 William the Conqueror made him castellan of the newly built Rougemont Castle

Rougemont Castle

Rougemont Castle is the historic castle of Exeter.The castle was first built in 1068 to help William the Conqueror maintain control over the city. It is perched on an ancient volcanic plug, overlaying remains of the Roman city of Isca Dumnoniorum...

 in Exeter

Exeter

Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...

, Baron of Okehampton and appointed him hereditary High Sheriff of Devonshire, which position he held until his death, He built Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle is a ruined motte and bailey castle situated in Devon, England.The castle has Norman origins and dates from the late 11th century...

..

Death and legacy

Baldwin died in 1090. He had married twice (Albreda and Emma) and had three sons, Richard fitz Baldwin (his heir), William, and Robert, all of whom died childless. On Richard's death his sister Adeliza inherited his title and became Sheriff of Devon.