William the Conqueror William the Conqueror William I (c. 1028 – 9 September 1087), usually known as William the Conqueror and sometimes William the Bastard, was the first Norman King of England, reigning from 1066 until his death in 1087. A descendant of Rollo, he was Duke of Normandy from 1035 onward. After a long struggle to establish his power, by 1060 his hold on Normandy was secure, and he launched the Norman conquest of England six years later. The rest of his life was marked by struggles to consolidate his hold over England and his continental lands and by difficulties with his
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