Harold looked at the Duke with a dark and angry face. William was taking a dishonourable advantage of him.

'Swear,' said the Norman knight, his friend, in his ear. 'If you do not, you will never see England again.'

'Swear, Harold,' whispered Wulfnoth; 'the oubliettes!'

Harold was completely in the power of the Normans.

With downcast eyes he laid his hand upon the Bible and repeated the words of the oath after the duke.