HAMELIN DE BALON.

The strong fortress of Balon or Baladon, near Le Mans, Sarthe, had its defences increased by Robert de Belesme in 1099, when he held it for William Rufus in his war with Elias, count of Maine, and in 1201 it was besieged by Philip Augustus., Drogo de Baladon held a barony in the Welsh marches in 1086 (Domesday), and from him descended the de Balaons, barons of Monmouth. He had three sons who are said to have come to the conquest of England, Hamelin, Guionech and Wynebald or Guinebaud. Hamelin received vast grants in Wales and Cornwall, and erected a strong castle at Abergavenny. This was one of the most important fortresses of the lords marcher. He founded here a priory of Black monks (Benedictine), and having died childless, was buried there in 1090. His castle and vast barony of Abergavenny went to Brian Fitz Count, the son of his sister Lucie, who was already baron of Wallingford in the right of his wife Maud, the widow of Milo Crispin. Of Guionech, the second son of Drogo, little is known but Guinebaud was a great baron and benefactor to religious houses during the reign of Henry I. He obtained either from his brother or the earl of Cornwall the three fees of Trehampton, Tredrea, and Trelawney. His sons were Roger de Trehampton, seated in Lincoln, Hoel of Trelawney and Jordan of Tredrea. The Huntleys are a branch of this family.

--(This name appears on the Falaise Roll).