Ponthieu

Ponthieu is a former province of northern France. Its chief town is Abbeville.

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Ponthieu was part of the Duchy of Normandy from 911 and played a small but important role in the politics that led up to the Norman invasion of England in 1066.

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Harold Godwinson, or Harold II of England was shipwrecked at Ponthieu, Normandy in 1064 and taken captive by Guy (or Wido according to the Bayeux Tapestry) who was the then Count of Ponthieu. It is alleged that William (Duke of Normandy - later William I of England) discovering that Harold had been taken captive, sent messengers ordering Count Guy to hand over his prisoner. William then forced Harold to swear to support his claim to the throne, only revealing after the event that the box on which Harold had made his oath contained holy relics, making the promise especially binding.

France: The French Republic or France (: R?publique fran?aise or France) is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe, and which is further made up of a collection of overseas islands and territories located in other continents....

Abbeville: Abbeville is a city in the Picardie r?gion, in the north of France....

Duchy of Normandy: The Duchy of Normandy stems from the Viking invasions of France in the 8th century. It was created by the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in 911 out of concessions made by King Charles, and granted to Rollo, leader of the Vikings known as Northmen (or in Latin Northmannorum)....

Ponthieu related Images and Photos (experimental)

Queen of Edward I Daughter of Ferdinand III of Castile and Joan of Ponthieu