William the Conqueror: 1061 to 1066
Harald Haradrada is the most famous warrior in all of Christendom: his career is long and filled with lusty and prowessful adventures; he is a legend in his own time. You should not encourage mightier men than yourself, at least never ones with a greater reputation. Hardrada does not succeed in softening up the English for you, he is taken by surprise by king Harold, and is killed along with his army at a place called Stamford bridge. Had you been more diligent in getting together your own forces, to take advantage of the distraction that Hardrada was to Harold, you might have accomplished something: but instead, you trusted in the lustre of a great name to do most of your work for you. (What would you have done in England, had Hardrada won, and killed Harold? Hadn't you thought of that? You think that facing Hardrada in England would have been easier than facing Harold?) Your reputation for wanting to use other men to fight - or at least start - your battles, has earned you the name William the (sneaky) Bastard.
