William the Conqueror eldest son. William was the son of the unmarried Robert I, Duke of Normandy, by Robert's mistress Herleva. His illegitimate status and his youth caused some difficulties for him after he succeeded his father, as did the anarchy that plagued the first years of his rule. During his childhood and adolescence, members of the Norman aristocracy battled each other, both for control of the child duke and for their own ends. In 1047 William was able to quash a rebellion and begin to establish his authority over the duchy, a process that was not complete until about 1060. His marriage
William Malet (companion of William the Conqueror) "Domesday Book" also mentions a Durand Malet, who held land in Lincolnshire and possibly some neighbouring shires. This may be William Malet's brother, but this is not certain. On screen, Malet has been portrayed by Peter Halliday in the two-part BBC TV play "Conquest" (1966), part of the series "Theatre 625", and by Gawn Grainger in the TV drama "Blood Royal: William the Conqueror" (1990). He had married Hesilia (Helise or Elisee). He was succeeded by his son Robert as Lord of Eye and Sheriff of Suffolk. His other son Gilbert founded the Malets of Shepton Mallet. He died around