Companion of the Conqueror 1065

1065, Rouen. England's old king lies sick in bed. Last year you watched Harold Godwinson, shipwrecked on this coast, lay his hand on holy relics at Bayeux and swear an oath. You are a knight of Duke William.

Age of Vikings and Coronations · 1066 · Knight · male · age 30 · Normandy

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Historical background

The childless English king Edward the Confessor had spent his youth in Normandy, and according to Norman sources he promised the throne to his kinsman William, Duke of Normandy. Around 1064 Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, was shipwrecked on the coast of Ponthieu and fell into William's hands; the Bayeux Tapestry shows him swearing on relics to support William. When Edward died on 5 January 1066, Harold was crowned the next day.

That year England became the battleground of three men. In September the Norwegian king Harald Hardrada landed near York with Harold's brother Tostig and won at Fulford, but on 25 September he was killed by Harold at Stamford Bridge. Three days later William landed at Pevensey, and on 14 October Harold fell at the Battle of Hastings. William was crowned at Westminster on Christmas Day; the siege of Exeter, the risings in the north and the Revolt of the Earls, the fall of his half-brother Bishop Odo of Bayeux and the Domesday survey of 1086 followed.

Who you are

You begin as a 30-year-old Norman knight serving Duke William at Rouen. You have a horse, armour and troops, and you dream of land across the sea. Your fellow knight Hugues Leroux, Ælfgifu, the widow of a Saxon thegn, Wulfnoth, her cousin who resists the newcomers, and Bishop Odo are woven into this life.

The current of history: 1066

Starting with the invitation "The old king’s deathbed", you choose on which side to face 1066, the year England had three kings. The side you choose changes whom you serve and where you live.

Sides you can take

Harold's housecarl Join the English king's household troops and defend the island.
Hardrada's fleet Board the Norwegian king's ships and strike England from the north.
William's knight Cross the Channel with Duke William — the default place in this scenario.

Tips

Prepare before the war You have just over a year until 1066. Push up your Might and troops with arms training and recruiting.

Land after the conquest Conquest brings both the sharing out of land and resistance. If you receive a holding, watch your stability and your relations with the local people.

The widow and her kin How you deal with the Saxon family in the scenario events decides what kind of end a conqueror’s life will have.

Questions and answers

How close is this scenario to real history?

Edward the Confessor's death and Harold's accession, the oath at Bayeux (in Norman sources), the battles of Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings, William's coronation, the siege of Exeter, Bishop Odo and the Domesday survey are historical. The starting map, realms, real historical figures and the major events of the current of history follow actual history. You and the companions, rivals and loves around you are fictional people who could have lived then, and once you start, history may diverge according to your choices and those of the AI rulers.

What station do I start in?

You start as a 30-year-old man, a knight serving Duke William in Normandy. You belong to the Duchy of Normandy and have no land.

Is it free? Can I play right away?

Yes. Crown & Plough is a free browser game with no account and nothing to install. The "Start in this scene" button on this page opens the scenario's intro screen directly, and progress is saved automatically in your browser. It works on phones too.

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