NORMANS Harold was crowned King of England on the very day of the maudlin Confessor's funeral.

He had good need to be quick about it.

When the news reached Norman William, hunting in his park at Rouen, he dropped his bow, returned to his palace, called his nobles to council, and presently sent ambassadors to Harold, calling on him to keep his oath and resign the Crown.

Harold would do no such thing.

The barons of France leagued together round Duke William for the invasion of England.