William the Conqueror: 1061 to 1066

The war drags on throughout that summer, occupying your full attention: the Ponthievins are a wiley bunch, and their land is covered in bridged streams. The fighting is most contrary, but at last you have the count and his troops trapped in Beaurain castle, where Guy hands you the keys to the gates, on the condition of a truce to last ten years, and a yearly tribute. He hands over earl Harold.

While you were being single-minded in Ponthieu, in Brittany matters have gone badly for you. Conan has seized Rivalon of Dol and imprisoned him; and your ally Hoel of Cornouailles has been forced out and has taken refuge at the Norman court. Conan is now supreme, and Brittany is threatening Maine and even western Normandy (the Cotentin). The war forced upon you is still in progress when king Edward dies, and Harold Godwinson is proclaimed king of the English. Of course, you are outraged: because the earl was not allowed out of your clutches until he had sworn to be your man in England for his lands, and to aid you to the throne upon the death of your cousin. But you can do nothing to punish king Harold: you are too busy trying to stabilize your western frontier and get into Brittany. History never knows you as "the Conqueror".

Contemplate the heavenly city, you will have nothing more....