William the Conqueror

PROVEN COMPANIONS OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR

Many ancient English families of French origin have claimed amongst their ancestors a participant at the Battle of Hastings as a matter of great pride giving them legitimacy in the higher echelons of the British aristocracy. The large majority of these claims are based on legend and cannot be proven by historical evidence.
Many hundreds of Norman nobles of varying degrees certainly fought with the Duke at Hastings, yet the fact remains that the names of only 15 of these are recorded in contemporary historical sources considered to be unimpeachable. This very select group is therefore known as the “Proven Companions”, as distinct from the several hundred “Likely”, “Probable” or “Possible” Companions. Many lists and “rolls” of so-called Companions have been drawn up over the ages, and continue so to be.

List of 15 “Proven Companions”

(The order of listing is that given in the respective sources)

  1. Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester (Source: William of Poitiers)
  2. Eustace II, Count of Boulogne (Source: William of Poitiers)
  3. William, 3rd Count of Évreux (Source: William of Poitiers)
  4. Geoffrey of Mortagne, later Count of Perche (Source: William of Poitiers)
  5. William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford (Source: William of Poitiers)
  6. Aimeri, Viscount of Thouars (Source: William of Poitiers)
  7. Walter Giffard, Lord of Longueville, later 1st Earl of Buckingham (Source: William of Poitiers)
  8. Hugh de Montfort, Lord of Montfort-sur-Risle (Source: William of Poitiers)
  9. Ralph de Tosny, Lord of Conches (Source: William of Poitiers)
  10. Hugh de Grandmesnil (Source: William of Poitiers)
  11. William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey (Source: William of Poitiers)
  12. William Malet, Lord of Graville (Source: William of Poitiers)
  13. Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, later Earl of Kent (Source: Bayeux Tapestry)
  14. Turstin FitzRolf (Source: Orderic Vitalis)
  15. Engenulf de Laigle (Source: Orderic Vitalis)