Valery,
and who had by Conrad's orders been sent to join the cavalcade where
it crossed the Somme at Abbeville; the procession was closed by a
strong body of the count's men-at-arms. They rode through the double
line of spearmen until they reached the entrance. Then as Harold
dismounted, the duke descended the steps and embraced him with the
warmest expressions of satisfaction at thus meeting the most
illustrious of Englishmen.
Harold replied in suitable terms, and the duke then turned to Conrad
and thanked him warmly for having acceded to his request.
Ponthieu was but newly conquered, and might yet be a thorn in the
side of Normandy in the event of a renewal of war with France. It
was therefore to William's interest to treat Conrad's obedience to
his orders as if it had been a voluntary submission, and to ignore
his discourteous treatment of his captives. In order to eradicate
all sense of injury on the part of his vassal, he not only paid him
the ransom for Harold but gave him a considerable grant of territory.
The duke now presented his nobles and principal officers to Harold,
and then with his arm placed familiarly on his guest's shoulder led
him into the hall, and placed him in the chair of state beside his
own, other seats being placed for Wulfnoth and Hakon and for some
of the principal Norman barons, while the rest mingled with the
Saxon thanes in the body of the hall. As soon as the reception was
over Wulf hurried out into the courtyard to speak to Osgod.
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