1. 5. Harold was blown of course as he sailed for Normandy and ended up mistakenly landing in Ponthieu, where Count Guy took him prisoner. 1. William of Poitiers states that Harold was sent by Edward, who knew he was dying, to confirm William as his heir. 8. William persuaded Guy to part with Harold and took Harold to Normandy where he treated Harold well. 2. William took Harold and the men with him on a campaign against the count of Brittany and Harold fought well, impressing the Normans. 6. William rewarded Harold for his service in Brittany by knighting him. This would suggest Harold to be beneath William. The Bayeux tapestry states ‘William presenting arms to Harold’ and shows an image that looks like a knighting ceremony. 9. The Bayeux tapestry shows Harold swearing an oath whilst touching religious relics, a very serious oath indeed. The tapestry states ‘where Harold took an oath to Duke William concerning the crown’’. 3. A monk, Eadmer, writing in 1112, write that Harold went to Normandy against the wishes and advice of Edward, in order to secure the release of the hostages Wulfnoth (younger brother) and Hacon (nephew). 10. The monk, Eadmer, suggests that Harold bowed to force majeure (A superior power that he couldn’t resist i.e. he had no choice). 7. Barlow ‘There is no way that Harold could have escaped, except by agreeing to William’s demands.’ 4. The monk, Eadmer, said that William made Harold promise to surrender Dover castle to him (part of Harold’s earldom) and to help him become king, and that if he agreed to take an oath on this then he would release Hacon immediately and Wulfnoth when he became king. 11. ‘…all agree that, whether Harold’s real destination was Normandy or somewhere else, he was wrecked on the coast of Ponthieu.’ 1066 by Frank McLynn.