About 995, Owain ap Iago ap Idwal Foel had a son he named Gruffudd. Nothing is known of his career, but his son William born c. 1030 saw military service under Earl Aelfgar. William likely fought beside Aelfgar and his Welsh ally, Gruffudd ap Llewelyn, in their battles with the Godwin clan. He is remembered as a professional soldier who, in some pedigrees, appears simply as "Miles". In others, he is called Sir William le Belward. About 1060, he was granted a tract of land called Malpas located some 6 miles southeast of Holt. Shortly afterwards, Earl Aelfgar died and left his realm to eldest son Edwin, a man scarcely 20 years old. 1
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