William the Conqueror: 1061 to 1066
Tosti Godwinson was exiled during Edward's reign, and he blames Harold for his counsel to Edward. He hates Harold and is willing to take a Norman army over to England and do Harold as much injury as possible. The problem is, that when you mask your motivation behind the actions of other men, you muddy your cause: in this case beyond recognition. The Norman troops Tosti uses are soundly routed and Harold's name gains lustre. Tosti is killed in the abortive invasion. You have gained nothing by involving Norman troops in such a vendetta, and lost much valuable initiative that cannot be regained: by the end of 1066, Harold is the most famous warrior in Christendom, having also defeated the Norse invasion of Harald Hardrada, king of Norway. You cannot raise an army now, to invade England, if your very life depended on it. Better hope that Harold does not find an excuse to come after you. History remembers Harold as "the Valiant", but does not award anything complementary to yours; William the Bastard is all you go by.
