Harold’s Oath Was Used By William To Get Papal Support To Invade England
The lack of an obvious heir to the kingdom served as a bargaining chip for the entire time Edward the Confessor was in power. After a disagreement with Godwine, the earl of Wessex and the most powerful man in England, in 1051, Edward likely chose his cousin William to be his heir. Harold, Godwine's son who succeeded him as Earl of Wessex after his father's death in 1053, spent the following ten years strengthening his position and gaining the respect of the nobility and clergy. Harold thereafter swore an oath of fealty to William and pledged to support William's claim to the English throne, according to Norman's chronicles, which include the Bayeux Tapestry. However, on his deathbed (January 5, 1066) Edward gave Harold the throne, and the following day, Harold was crowned king with the support of the English nobility.
On the Normandy shore in 1064, Harold was shipwrecked. He was taken prisoner there, but Duke William freed him. William had Harold with him while he faced Conan II, Duke of Brittany, who was his foe. Harold received arms and weaponry from William, who also knighted him. According to Norman sources, Harold took an oath to support William's claim to the English crown. Harold’s Oath was later used by William (the Conqueror) to win the approval of the Pope for his invasion of England.
