Bosham claims to be the scene of Canute's encounter with the encroaching tide; which may be the case, although one has always thought of the king rebuking his flatterers rather by the margin of the ocean itself than inland at an estuary's edge.

But beyond question Canute had a palace here, and his daughter was buried in the church.
[Sidenote: A COSTLY PUN] Earl Godwin, father of Harold, last of the Saxons, dwelt here also.

"Da mihi basium"-- give me a kiss--he is fabled to have said to Archbishop Aethelnoth, and on receiving it to have taken the salute as acquiescence in the request--"Da mihi Bosham": probably the earliest and also the most expensive recorded example in England of this particular form of humour.
It was from Bosham that Harold sailed on that visit to the Duke of Normandy which resulted in the battle of Hastings.

In the Bayeux tapestry he may be seen riding to Bosham with his company, and also putting up prayers for the success of his mission.

Of this success we shall see more when we come to Battle.