Weis' "Ancestral Roots. . ." (89:29). According to the "Dictionary of National Biography" in 1167-8 William succeeded his father to the Sheriffdom of Rutland and other counties. He served as an itinerant justice for King Richard in 1199 and also several times for King John.
In the conflict between the crown and the baronage, he joined the moderate or middle section, who remained in attendance on the king till the eve of the Magna Carta, but went over to the extreme party on their obtaining possession of London. He was elected one of the 25 barons to act as surety for the Magna Carta, but then withdrew to his castle at Belvoir. He was prevailed upon to take charge of Rochester and, after a gallant defense, surrendered it to King John, who imprisoned him and came very close to having him hanged. In 1216, upon payment of a fine, William regained his freedom and estates. He embraced the royal cause upon the accession of King Henry III and was entrusted with a command at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
He was subsequently in high favor with the king. In 1219 and 1225 he again acted as itinerant justice. He died in May, 1236.
Note the confusion caused by the fact that their were TWO William de Albini's who were Magna Carta sureties. They were unrelated.