The first Bigod to appear in history is Robert le Bigod, a poor Knight, who gained the favour of William, Duke of Normandy, by informing him of the intended treachery of William Werlenc, Count of Mortain. Robert held the lands of Malitot, Loges and Chanon in Normandy and served Duke William as one of his seneschals. He is described at the Battle of Hastings as; "Small of body, but brave and bold, he assaulted the English gallantly" (Bigod genealogy - http://www3.sympatico.ca/robert.sewell/bigod.html)