On the death of Edward the Confessor the throne of England was
claimed by William, Duke of Normandy.

When Edward took refuge in Normandy after the Danes conquered
England, he stayed at the palace of William. He was very kindly
treated there, and William said that Edward had promised in gratitude
that William should succeed him as king of England.

One day in the year 1066 when William was hunting with a party of
his courtiers in the woods near Rouen, a noble came riding rapidly
toward him shouting, "Your Highness, a messenger has just arrived
from England, bearing the news that King Edward is dead and that
Harold, the son of Earl Godwin, has been placed on the English
throne."

William at once called his nobles together and said to them, "I
must have your consent that I enforce my claim to England's throne
by arms."

The barons gave their consent. So an army of sixty thousand men
was collected and a large fleet of ships was built to carry this
force across the channel.

During the months of preparation William sent an embassy to
the English court to demand of Harold that he give up the throne.
Harold refused.

Soon all England was startled by the news that William had landed