The Norman Conquest through European Eyes*

Abstract

In the spring of 1066 Duke William of Normandy sent Gilbert, Arch-deacon of Lisieux, to Rome as his messenger to enlist the support of Pope Alexander II (1061–73) for his plans to dispute King Harold’s succession to the English throne by force of arms. 1 The Duke’s adviser, Abbot Lanfranc of Saint-Étienne at Caen, had drawn up the Norman case, of which the main argument was that Harold had committed perjury and that therefore the Duke was justified in using violence against him. 2 The Pope, a friend of Lanfranc from their schooldays in northern Italy, happily gave his blessing to William’s enterprise, and according to the Norman sources he sent a papal banner as sign of his approval. 3 Morally strengthened by the Pope’s support, Duke William began to recruit his invasion army. Messengers were sent round Europe and by the summer the army was ready. Shortly after Easter, a comet had appeared in the sky which remained visible for about a fortnight. 4 We have written evidence of the comet’s appearance which pre-dates the Conquest, and the Bayeux Tapestry includes a picture of astrologers explaining it. Although there is no evidence that at that stage the comet was seen as a portent of the Norman invasion, it was certainly viewed as an omen. 5 But not until after the Norman Conquest of England, as we shall see, was the comet interpreted retrospectively as God’s sign for this particular change of government.

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