Norman Conquest Timeline

EXCOMMUNICATION

London, 8 October 1066

An unsettling rumour that King Harold has been excommunicated by the Pope is spreading through London today. The King is said to be furious that he has been tried and judged by the papal court in his absence, without his knowledge and without being able to offer a word in his own defence.

If true, this is a propaganda coup for William of Normandy. It is said that knowledge of the excommunication has been circulating in Normandy throughout the summer. But England, being cut off by the northerly wind, has heard nothing of the judgement. William, it seems, has picked his moment to release the news.

Some fear that Harold's followers have also been excommunicated and risk losing their immortal souls if they continue their struggle against the Norman invader. Others pour scorn on the rumour. The church backed Harold throughout his campaign against the Vikings and, if he had been excommunicated, he would surely have been refused mass during his recent stay at Waltham Abbey.

The excommunication may be just a threat, not yet enacted. It is known that William has the new Pope in his pocket - Alexander II was put on the papal throne by Norman arms. However, Alexander is not recognised by the German court of the Holy Roman Emperor which has put up its own candidate - Honorius II. It is thought that, if William is defeated by Harold, a Saxon, the German candidate will succeed and any excommunication be quashed.

Although the news has damaged English morale, it has not broken it. The feeling is that God had already shown his favour by giving Harold one victory over the Vikings. There is no reason to think he will withhold another one. The Normans are Vikings by descent and the memory of Scandinavian rape and pillage of the coastal area of England is fresh enough in everyone's mind to make them fear that England is in dire peril. Landowners are exhorting their men to fight, in the sure knowledge that, if the Normans win, they will be dispossessed. The news that William's men are razing East Sussex has also stirred up old fears and men from all over the country are motivated to fight to defend their homes and families.

There are concerns that Harold's preparations have been too hasty. But he cannot afford to wait. If news of his excommunication is confirmed by an impartial source, the damage to morale may be irreparable. Although the archbishops of Canterbury and York are wedded to his cause, if the rest of the church were to turn against him, Harold would come under enormous pressure to surrender the throne. If he is to hold on to his crown - and his head - Harold will now have to move quickly. A swift and decisive victory over the Norman invader would undoubtedly be attributed to the intervention of God and his position as King of England will be secure. For Harold, the time for talking and for praying is past.

Article by Nigel Cawthorne