The Roll of Battle Abbey contains the names of several hundred of the noble companions of William the Conqueror. The work in hand, a compilation by John Bernard Burke, is a heavily annotated list of the companions of the Conqueror, the annotations providing an account of the origins of each companion and his relationship to William, a description of his baronies and estates, an assessment of his position in the feudal hierarchy, and a concise history of his life and times.

The famous Roll of Battle Abbey is believed to have been compiled following the Battle of Hastings in 1066 in obedience to a clause in William the Conqueror's foundation charter, that enjoined the monks to pray for the souls of those ..".who by their labour and valour had helped to win the kingdom." Though the original "Roll" did not survive, several other Rolls were later prepared from various means, including those by Brompton, Leland, Holinshed and Duchesne. This work, prepared by John Bernard Burke, is a compilation and transcription of previous "Rolls," includes annotations for many of those listed and, in some instances, lineal descendants in successive generations.