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Harold swears fealty to Duke William
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Harold swears fealty to Duke William
Allegedly after being shipwrecked on the French coast in 1064 (a date highly disputed amongst historians), The Bayeux Tapestry, and other Norman sources, record that Harold swore an oath on sacred relics to Duke William of Normandy to support his (William s) claim to the English throne. After the death of King Edward the Confessor, the Normans were quick to point out that in accepting the crown of England, Harold had broken this alleged oath. Date: circa 1064
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Media ID 23034926
© Mary Evans Picture Library/Tom Gillmor
1064 Apocryphal Claim Claimant Fealty Godwinson Harold Honour Important Loyal Loyalty Mythical Normandy Oath Oaths Places Placing Relics Sacred Source Succession Swear Swearing Swears Tale Throne Swore
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the pivotal moment when Harold Godwinson, the Anglo-Saxon King of England, allegedly swore fealty to Duke William of Normandy in the year 1064. According to the Bayeux Tapestry and Norman sources, Harold's oath was taken on sacred relics, pledging his support for William's claim to the English throne. The scene is set against a backdrop of uncertainty and shifting alliances, as Harold reached for the relics, placing his hand upon them with a solemn air, while Duke William looked on, his expression a mixture of anticipation and resolve. The significance of this event in English history is a subject of ongoing debate amongst historians, with some questioning the veracity of the tale. The exact date of the alleged oath-swearing is also disputed, with some placing it before the death of King Edward the Confessor, while others suggest it occurred afterwards. Regardless, the story of Harold's oath is an important one, shedding light on the complexities of the succession process during this period and the role that fealty and loyalty played in the political landscape. The image of Harold swearing fealty to Duke William is a powerful one, evoking themes of honour, loyalty, and the weight of historical precedent. It is a reminder of the intricate web of relationships that shaped the political landscape of medieval Europe and the enduring influence of the past on the present.
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