The Oath

William, Duke of Normandy, aka The Conqueror, is incensed when he discovers that not only has the dying King Edward of England nominated his brother-in-law Earl Harold of Wessex to be his successor, but Harold has already been crowned King Harold II of England. William threatens to invade England to establish what he alleges are his rights to the crown,.However, he is prevailed upon to place the matter of who is England's rightful king before an international court of his peers. Harold's defense is hindered by his conflicts over his oath of fealty/allegiance sworn on holy relics to William two years earlier and his duty to England. William on the other hand, must back up his allegations in accordance with the procedures of court, supported by believable, factual evidence sufficient to establish his claims by a preponderance of the evidence. Will he be able to do this? Can Harold resolve his conflicts sufficiently to maintain his crown? Will the Battle of Hasting be avoided if William loses the court battle?