St. Samson, a descendant of the kings of Brittany and Cornwall, left southern Wales in the mid 500s AD and went as a missionary to Dol, in Brittany with several followers. Eventually, he became the Bishop of Dol. In 1064, William the Conqueror, laid siege to Dol and conquered it.
There were three men of substance residing in Dol that allied themselves with William and took part in the conquest of England in 1066. They aligned themselves under the banner of William Fitz Osbern, who lead the drive through southern Wales and into Herefordshire.
These three men of substance were Baderorn (Batrun), Willliam, the son of Baderon, and Wihenoc, the brother of Baderon. William, the son of Baderon, was a young squire at the time. It is significant that these were men of importance as it is evidenced by the large number of manors and other holdings granted to them, especially to William, son of Baderon.
It is mystifying as to why he was granted so many holdings on the land that King William had reserved for himself. After the revolt of Earl Roger, the three Bretons were placed in charge of Monmouth Castle, in southern Wales, near the English border. This castle became the main baliwick of William, son of Baderon. Of the many manor holdings of William, son of Baderon, two were of significance: Heathway Manor in Ruardean and Little Lydney, later named St. Briavels.
At the time they were located in Gloucestershire but later this area became Herefordshire. At one time, Heathway Manor was held by a West Saxon noble, who also bore the name "Heathway". (The spelling of Hadweg, would have more approximated his name since the "d" was the saxon "edh" or "eth").
This Heathway also held a manor at Wormesley, in an administrative Hundred, used to oversee the exaction of tribute from the Welsh.
Contributed by Clyde Hathaway Clyde Hathaway was a member of the H.F.A. Board for many years and in preparation for the 1970 book he helped Beth Versailles with research on many New York families. During that time he reactivated his own branch reunions. He was born 1917 in Binghamton, NY and died in 1970.