YOUR WORD | 2005-11-18
William the Conqueror took England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. I believe each army consisted of about 1500 men.
Some, no one knows how many, Saxons did not support Harold because he had given his word to William that William was the rightful heir to England.
Here comes the part we have trouble with. The reason Harold gave his word was that many years before he had been a captive of William and he would have been killed if he hadn't given his word.
So he gave his word under duress.
So it wasn't obligatory, right?
Well, the people back in Harold's day weren't modern enough to understand that. When you gave your word it was binding, no matter what. Your word was precious, and death was no excuse. If you had to die not to give your word, then you died.
It's like giving information under torture, once they've got it, they've got it. Back then, those barbarians figured that once you started excusing people for giving their word, the time would come when "your word" meant nothing.
If you've ever studied contract law, you will realize they were right.