Harold Godwinson Embassy (jun 1, 1064 – apr 1, 1065)
Description:
Harold wished to go to Normandy, probably not at the command of Edward the Confessor, but to secure the release of his relatives, Hakon (son of Swein) and Wulfnoth (his youngest brother). At some point between 1051-2, probably September 1051, the Godwins had handed over two of their number to Edward. They were probably given to William when he went over to England to be made heir. By 1064, Harold probably felt secure and powerful enough to try and get his relatives back and to persuade William to relinquish his grip on power by paying him off.
However, according to the Tapestry, he first decided to get permission from/consult with Edward. The Tapestry shows Edward the confessor in conversation with two men (Harold and Wulfric?)
In Eadmer's account, Edward informs Harold 'I know that the duke is not so simple as ti give them up to you, unless he foresees some great advantage to himself.' But the earl disregards this advice and goes to Normandy anyway, taking with him a large amount of gold, silver and costly goods.
After leaving Edward, Harold rides to his manor in Bosham in Sussex, accompanied by his retainers and a pack of hounds and carrying a hawk on his wrist (Bayeaux Tap). There, they say a prayer in the church (that still stands) and have a meal in the manor house. Then they climb aboard the ships. They meet a storm on the way, and only narrowly avoid getting shipwrecked (all chronicle accounts agree on this).
They put ashore in Ponthieu (not their intended destination) which is one of several small counties between Normandy and Flanders. Count Guy seizes Harold and imprisons him in the castle of Beaurain, with the probable intention of holding him to ransom.
Somehow William hears of Harold's escape (the Tapestry shows a messenger whose moustache suggests he is an Englishman - Wulfric!)
William immediately sent messengers to free Harold. Count Guy (captured at the battle of Mortemer in 1054) had been freed after swearing fealty to William, so was unlikely to have resisted him. In any case, William of Poitiers says that Guy was given land and money in return. The count took Harold to Eu, where he was given into William's possession and taken to William's palace at Rouen.
1, During this stay, Harold joins William on a campaign in Brittany (depicted at length on the Bayeux Tapestry)Harold heroically rescued some of William's men from quicksands near Mont St Michel. For this, he was knighted, which symbolically (and unbeknown to Harold) suggested William's lordship over Harold.
2, At a specially convened council at Bonneville-sur-Touques, Harold was (probably) forced to swear an oath to uphold William's claim on holy relics, to:
i, Act as William's advocate at Edward's court
ii, Use his wealth and influence to secure the throne for William upon the death of Edward
iii, Secure and fortify (at his own expense) the castle of Calais for his arrival
iv, Secure various other important places necessary for a takeover.
The agreement was to be sealed by a marriage, by which Harold's sister would marry a leading Norman magnate and the earl himself would wed one of the duke's daughters.
Harold's return on the Tapestry looks very much like an embarrassed supplication/admission of guilt. His back is hunched and his hands beseech. Edward points accusingly. Eadmer has written an account of Edward's reception of Harold, suggesting he said 'did I not tell you that I knew William, and that your going might bring untold calamity upon this kingdom?'
(There are no entries for the Anglo Saxon Chronicle for the year 1064 - deleted by Harold or William?)
Added to timeline:
11th Century
Events leading up to 1066 and beyond
Date:
