Vol II File 16: The Paternal Ancestry of Homer Beers James

25. Malet Line

Ref: Wurts, pp. 95-97.

1. William Malet, Lord Malet, a Norman baron, one of the generals and companions of William the Conqueror, said to have been the brother of King Harold's wife, and to have been entrusted with the guard of Harold's body after he had been slain on the battlefield. After the conquest he was made Governor of York Castle and was slain in its defense about 1071. He married Hesila (Esilia) Crispin, daughter of Gilbert Crispin I, baron of Tillieres. She probably married (2) Alured de Lincoln, a great Domesday baron who attended Duke William on his expedition to England in 1066 (See Crispin and Macary, "Falaise Roll", Appendix 20, pg. 156-160). They had the following children:
- 1. Robert Malet, lived in Normandy in 990, successor to his father, was among the greatest landowners in England. He held over 221 manors in Suffolk alone. He was Lord Chamberlain under King Henry I., and Lord of Eye in Suffolk. He lost his life and fortune at the battle of Tinchebrai, where he espoused the cause of Duke Robert. As a consequence of this action he was banished and disinherited.
- 2. Gilbert Malet, 2nd son, succeeded his brother, Robert. See below.
- 3. Beatrice (Beatrix) Malet, married William of Arques (Arches). In a deed witnessed by her brother, Gilbert, she gave the village of Rending Fieldam to the monks of St. Peter of Eye.
- 4. Lucia, married Ive Taillebois. See details elsewhere.
- 5. William Malet II., monk at Bec, died after 1121.
  
  He was succeeded by his eldest son, Robert.
  
  According to Crispin and Macary, "William (Guillaume) Malet de Graville stands out as one of the most imposing figures at the Conquest. There can be no doubt about his presence there, which is subscribed to be William of Poitiers, Guy of Amiens, Orderic Vital, and all the historians of this epoch. So much has been placed on record concerning him that just a few facts of his life will be recited here. He was probably descended from Gerard, a Scandinavian prince and companion of Duke Rollo, which gave the name of the fief of Gerardville or Graville, near Havre. Robert, the eldest son, occurs in a document of about 990 in Normandy. On his mother's side William Malet was of Anglo-Saxon origin, for she was probably the daughter of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and Godwa or Godgifu, the supposed sister of Thorold the Sheriff in the time of Edward the Confessor, and therefore the aunt of Edwin and Morcar, Earls of Northumberland. He was nearly killed in the battle of Hastings but was rescued by the sire de Montfort and William of Vieuxpont, and was appointed by William the Conqueror to take charge of the body of Harold, a statement that has been disputed. The consensus of opinion favors it, and it is most logical if William Malet's mother was as stated the sister of Algar II., 7th Earl of Mercia, who was the father of Alditha, wife of Harold. He accompanied King William at the reduction of Nottingham and York in 1068, for which he was rewarded with the shreivalty of land in that county. Gilbert de Gand and Robert Fitz Richard were also commanders in this expedition. The following year he was besieged in the castle of York by Edgar, the Saxon prince, and was only saved from surrender by the timely arrival of the Conqueror. In the same year he was attacked by the Danes, who captured the city of York with great slaughter and took William Malet, his wife and children, prisoners, but their lives were spared, as was that of Gilbert de Gand, for the sake of their ransoms. There is evidence that he was slain in this year, but it is uncertain and the date of his death is unknown. An entry in Domesday that "William Malet was seized of this place (Cidestan, Co. Suffolk), where he proceeded on the King's service where he died," would indicate that his death occurred during the compilation of that book. He was witness to a charter of King William to the church of St. Martin-le-Grand, in London, and is there styled "princeps," which title, however, was honorary and not hereditary, having ceased with his death."
2. Gilbert Malet, successor to his brother, Robert, left a son, Robert.
3. Robert Malet, who before 1130 acquired the barony of Curry Malet in co. Somerset. He died before 1155, leaving a son, William.
4. William Malet, baron of Curry Malet, had other estates as well, in Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Suffolk. He was Steward to King Henry II. and died in 1169 or 1170. He had a son, Gilbert.
5. Gilbert Malet was also Steward to King Henry II. and baron of Curry Malet. He married Alice Picot, daughter of Ralph Picot, Sheriff of Kent. They had several sons, including William.
6. William II Malet, the Surety of the Magna Charta, was mentioned in 1194 as a minor, in connection with an expedition made that year into Normandy. His principal estate was Curry-Malet. From 1210 to 1214 he was Sheriff of the counties of Somerset and Dorset. When he joined with the barons against King John and became one of the twenty-five Sureties his lands in four counties were confiscated and given to his son-in-law, Hugh de Vivonia, and to his father-in-law, Thomas Basset, and Malet was excommunicated by the Pope in 1216. He was also fined 2,000 marks, but this remained unpaid until after his death, and at that time 1,000 marks were remitted, being found due him for military service to King John at Poitou. It is interesting to note that there were five contemporary relatives named William Malet, and they all held lands in England or in Jersey. He died about 1217, having married Mabel (Alice) (Alicia) Basset, daughter of Thomas Basset, of Headington. She survived him and married (2) John Biset. William and his wife had two sons who died in their father's lifetime and three daughters as follows:
- 1. Hugh Malet, whose descendants did not survive.
- 2. William, d.s.p.
- 3. Hawise Malet. See below.
- 4. Mabel Malet, whose inheritance of one-third increased to one-half, married (1) Nicholas Avenal; and before November 1223 (2) Hugh de Vivonia (de Forz), baron of Chewton, co. Somerset, and Steward of Poitou, who held West Kington in 1214. They had the following children:
  - 1. John de Vivonia, d.s.p. in 1314.
  - 2. William de Vivonia de Fortibus, married Maud Ferrers, and died in 1259. He had four daughters, all minors at his death, as follows:
    - 1. Joan Vivonia, married Reynold FitzPiers.
    - 2. Sibyl Vivonia, married Guy de Roche Chinard.
    - 3. Mabel Vivonia, married Fulk de L'Orty.
    - 4. Cecily Vivonia, heiress to her cousin, John, married John de Beauchamp who died in 1283. In the 5th year of King Edward I. he was made Governor of the Castles of Caermerdin and Cardigan. They had a son, John de Beauchamp, who took part in the wars of Scotland and soon after, in the 14th year of King Edward II., he succeeded to the very extensive landed possessions of his mother, in cos. Dorset, Wilts, Surrey, and Cambridge. Ten years afterwards he was made Governor of the Castle of Bridgewater. He died in 1336, and was succeeded by his son, John de Beauchamp, 2nd Lord Beauchamp of Hacche. He died in 1343, having taken part in the French wars of King Edward III. He had issue.
  - 3. Helewise Vivonia, who married Walter de Wahull, son of Saiher de Wahull, who died in 1250. His death occurred in 1269, when he was succeeded by his son, John de Wahull
- 5. Bertha Malet, who inherited one-third of the barony, was probably the youngest daughter. She did not marry and d.s.p. before Easter 1221.
  
  (Ref: L. J. Sanders, "English Baronies - A Study of Their Origin and Descent 1086-1327" (1960), and Wurts, "Magna Charta, Vol 1," pp. 95-97).
7. Hawise (Helewise) Malet, whose inheritance of one-third of the barony increased to one-half, married before March 23, 1217, (1) Hugh I de Poyntz, who died 1220: They had a son, Nicholas de Poyntz, who died in 1272. She married (2) Robert de Muscegros, of Brewham (Berwain) and Norton and Cherlton, Somerset, who died in January 29, 1253 or 1254. The following record is from the Harleian Society's "Knights of Edward I."

"Keeper of Savernake Forest May 4, 1252. His Inq. January 29, 1254. He held Manors of Brynham, Cherlton, and Norton, Somersetshire, as 1 Knight's fee, Finebergh, Suffolk, 1 fee, moiety of Kenemerton 1 fee, and Botinton one-quarter fee, with lands at Hetherle, Norteclive, and Killicot, Gloucester one-half fee, and left his son and heir, John, 21."

They had a daughter and a son as follows:
- 1. Mabel Muscegros, Lady of Finborough, who was living May 17, 1271
- 2. John de Muscegros. See below.
8. John de Muscegros, of Charlton, Norton and other estates, was born August 10, 1232, and died May 8, 1275. He is shown as the king's yeoman in the "Knights of Edward I." This record from the Haerlein Society shows the following details from 1259 to 1301:

"Protection, going to Ireland, May 10 1259. Sheriff of Devon July 9, and Constable of Exeter, July 9, 1261, to July 18, 1263. Holds 1 Knight's Fee at Botyngdon and Kemerton, Gloucestershire, late of Richard., Earl of Gloucester, August 10, 1262. Protection during the Welsh war March 22, 1263. Safe conduct for him and other Knights coming to the king with horses, households, and goods, July 7, 1264. Made Constable of Salisbury Castle, for him and other Knights lately in munition of Bristol Castle to stay in with their households December 19, 1264, to May 31, 1265. Safe conduct coming to the king February 14, but not to come till sent for March 12, 1265. To leave Kenilworth Castle as he values his life August 26, 1265. He was against the king, and had 40/- rents and advowson at Stotesbrok, Berkshire. He was at Kenilworth with Simon de Montfort, Jr. Peter Pycout seized his lands at Gaham, Nottinghamshire, value 100/-, and John, Earl Warenne, his lands at Flessinges, Sussex. Made a Captain and Keeper of Peace in Somerset, Dorset, and Wilts to repress the king's enemies, May 4, 1266, with Prince Edward and five others he mainperns King September 2, 1267. The Prior of Puy Dudon leases Norton Manor, Somersetshire, to him for 4 years, November 1267. Lately Constable of Marlbergh Castle November 20, 1267. Archibald, Count of Perigord, and wife Agnes had granted to him Winclesmere Manor and Norton Hundred, Somersetshire, for 800 m. and his service, April 1269. Pardon of his and his f. debts to King October 23, 1270. Protection, going to Ireland for Prince Edward, May 15, 1271, and writ of Aid, going there to preserve peace, July 1, 1272. Construction of Bristol Castle February 27. Payne de Cadurcis will pay to him 200 m. for his term in King's Somborne Manor, Hantshire, March 29, 1274. Dead May 6 1275, holding Manors of Northon, Brywham as one-half fee, Cherleton 1 fee, and Stavill one-half fee, Somerset, Berton Regis and lands at Kenemerton, Boyton, Little Cumpton, Hatherle, and Langeford, co. Gloucester, and leaving son and heir, Robert, 23. His widow, Cecily has livery of her own lands, viz., Manors of Bykenore, Teynton, Langford, Cumpton, and Britfarton, Worcester, and Gloucester, May 23, 1275. She was dead August 11, 1301, leaving granddaughter as heiress, Hawise, 25, daughter of her son, Robert and widow of John de Ferrariis."

He married Cecily Avenal., Lady of Bicknor, Taynton and Longford, died August 11, 1301, daughter of William Avenal of Bicknor, born about November 1202, died April 21, 1236, and his wife Aline, living at the time of her husband's death. They were parents of Robert.
9. Robert de Muscegros was born in 1252, aged twenty-three and more in 1275, was also of Charlton and Norton, and died December 27, 1280.

"Son and heir of the last. Livery of his father's lands June 5, 1275. Cedes Bristol Castle, town, and barton July 12, 1275, and has ceded Bonred Castle, the Cantred of Tradery, and theod of Ocormok in Ireland to the King, who will enfeoff Thomas de Clare thereof, March 2, 1276. Grant to him Hamsted, Aldeworth, Cumpton, and Alverscote Manors, May 13, 1276. Summoned to serve against the Welsh, he acknowledges 1 Knight's fee at Hamstred, and will serve in person, July 1, 1277. Dead January 18, 1281, holding lands at Cottesmore, Rut., Manors of Stawelle, Morton, and Cherlton Mucegros, Somersetshire, Kynmerton as 1 fee, and Botinton, Gloucester, Hamstede, and lands at West Cumpton, Berkshire, and leaving daughter and heiress, Hawise,
4. He died December 21, 1280. Grant to John de Vescy custody of his lands in minority of his heir February 26, 1281, and dower to his widow, Agnes Ferrers, viz., Hamsted Manor, and lands at Cotemor, Rut., May 9, 1281. License for her on 200 m. fine to marry at will April 17, 1287."

He married Agnes Ferrers, living May 9, 1281. They had a daughter Hawise.
10. Hawise Muscegros was born December 21, 1276, and was living as late as June 24, 1340. She married (1) William de Mortimer of Bridgewater, who died without issue June 30, 1297. She married (2) John de Ferrers, born at Cardiff June 20, 1271, and died in 1324, of Southoe and Keyston, son of Robert de Ferrers, who died in 1279, a descendant of the Surety Saire de Quincy, and his wife Agnes (Alianore) Bohun, a descendant of the Surety Henry de Bohun. She married (3) John de Bures, who died at Bodington, on December 22, 1350. From this last marriage there was a daughter, Katherine.
11. Katherine Bures , Lady of Boddington and Longford, was aged 35 and more in 1350 or 1351 and living in October 1355. She married before May 21, 1329, Giles de Beauchamp, of Powick, who died October 12, 1361, son of Walter de Beauchamp, of Beauchamp's Court in Alcaster, co. Warwick. See Burke, pg. 34. Giles was the Steward of the Household of King Edward I. See the ancestral line elsewhere under the Beauchamp Line.
12. John de Beauchamp married Elizabeth St. John, thought to be the daughter of John St. John.
13. William de Beauchamp, of Powyck and Alcaster, was sheriff of the shires of Worcester and Gloucester. He married before March 5, 1414 Catherine Ufflete. He died before 1431.
14. John de Beauchamp, Knight of the Garter, was Justice of South Wales and Lord Treasurer of England. He died before April 19, 1502.

See the continuation of this lineage in the Beauchamp Line.

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