BoSham.info
Title
The Village of Bosham
Description
Harold attended mass at Bosham in 1064 prior to leaving Bosham and meeting William of Normandy. It was perhaps at this meeting that Harold told William Duke of Normandy (the Conqueror) that he would be claiming the throne of England. In fact he was probably supposed to be there proclaiming Edwards loyalty. This act combined with other factors led inevitably to the battle of Hastings in 1066.
(It is claimed by Norman sources that Edward sent Harold to Normandy to offer William the succession, but this is uncertain. Harold set off from Bosham and was driven by a storm onto the land of the Count of Ponthieu where he was captured. He was ransomed by William and then joined his campaign against the Bretons. Sources, including the Bayeux Tapestry, claim that Harold swore an oath to support William's claim to the throne of England. Edward died on 5th January 1066. Some claimed that on his death bed he promised the throne to Harold who had himself crowned at Westminster on January 6th with the consent of the English aristocracy.)
Harold was thus destined to become the last of the Saxon Kings of England. It is said that both his own and his Fathers body was brought back to Bosham after the Battle in 1066. On the 4th August 1865 the chancel arch at the church was excavated and two coffins were discovered. One contained the bones of an eight year old girl and the coffin itself was typical of those used during the reign of Canute. The larger coffin contained the bones of an older man who suffered from arthritis in one leg. It is known that Godwin had a limp.
Languages
English
Contact
- Anthony Black
-
- Bosham, Chichester West Sussex
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland PO188HG
-
- +44.1243572117
Additional Information
Related Domains
External Links
- Alexa: BoSham.info
