[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

That theory that one or more shipwrecks played any role in Harold's defeat at Hastings seems dubious. Harold had to first defeat a Danish invasion at Stamford bridge, then force-march his men to Hastings. Harolds troops were exhausted and were too late to stop the Normans from embarking and forming up their troops. A battle to prevent the Normans from even setting foot on English soil would have worked (probably) if Harold was waiting for them with a well-rested army.

[ZULU]

All very true. BUT the falsehood that Harald had broken oaths on Holy Records resulted in the Pope giving William the Bastard’s little enterprise the legitimacy of a crusade which allowed to more easily conscript the scum of Europe into his army. In today’s secularized society it’s difficult to comprehend the impact of a papal declaration of a crusade.