Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The banner flown by William the Bastard at Senlac Hill was given to his envoy by the Pope as a sign that his mission was blessed. Earlier that year William sent an ambassador, Gilbert, archdeacon of Lisieux, to Pope Alexander II to argue that Harold Godwinsson had sworn an oath of fealty to William, and therefore his acceptance of the crown of England was in breach of a sacred undertaking. The mission succeeded.

See also: Banner; Harold Godwinsson; oath of fealty; Pope Alexander II; Senlac Hill; William the Bastard

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition)- The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )