Edward the Confessor in 1064, informing Earl Harold that he must leave for Normandy to pay homage to Duke William and to confirm the agreement made between Edward and William in 1051 that William shall be king of England on Edward's death. Although a humiliating exercise for Harold, he would use the opportunity to try and arrange the release of Wulfnot and Harkon. The validity of William's claim to the throne of England and the promise made by Edward the Confessor will be discussed in the "further information" section.