1066 and All That

Bayeux Tapestry

The above image is a small portion of the Bayeux Tapestry that tells the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066; scene 56 to be precise.  Only the major players are actually identified (in other portions of the tapestry), such as King Harold of England and Duke William of Normandy, but some historians believe that William Malet is depicted in this scene.  If so, that is him mounted on horseback (but not seated in his saddle) on the right side of the frame mightily smiting an unfortunate Englishman.

William is one of the few knights proven to have accompanied Duke William in his conquest of England in 1066, and it seems, held in fairly high estime by the Duke. Wagner, Garter King of Arms, has stated that the Malet Family was, when he wrote the comment in the 1960's, the only (English) family with a reasonably direct male line from one who is known to have fought at the battle of Hastings.

More information on William and his sons can be found under "Malet 1066". The English families that followed them at Curry Mallet, Enmore, and St Audries (West Quantoxhead) in Somerset and Ash (Iddesleigh) in Devon are profiled as well. "Surname Origins" discusses the possible origins of the Mallett surname in England and it's eventual distribtution throughout the realm.