Harold's Norman Embassy, 1064

• Harold's embassy to Normandy

  1064
• Harold's embassy to Normandy (alternative date)

  1065
• Harold's embassy to Normandy was a diplomatic mission on behalf of Edward the Confessor
• Edward the Confessor ruled from 1042 until his death in 1066
• Power of the House of Godwin increased during Edward the Confessor's reign
• Succession crisis occurred over who should be the next king after Edward the Confessor's death in 1066
• Harold's embassy to Normandy was part of the wider context of the succession crisis
• Harold's embassy to Normandy was used by the Normans to boost William's claim to the English throne
• Harold's embassy to Normandy suggests close ties between England and Normandy
• Harold's embassy to Normandy was used by the Normans to portray Harold as an oath breaker
• Harold became one of William's warriors after the embassy
• Harold made an oath to William, possibly to support him as the claimant to the English throne
• Harold's Norman embassy set the scene for the later battle between William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson
• Harold's arrival in Pontchar near Flanders


  After being blown off course, he later arrived in William's lands in Normandy
• Harold made an oath to William


  Possibly to support him as the claimant to the English throne
• Harold's oath to William was shown in the Bayeux Tapestry
• Harold's oath to William was possibly forced
• Harold's embassy to Normandy was significant as it set the stage for the battle between William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson