An astrologer carries the news of the comet to Harold. In the Dark Ages, the appearances of comets were associated with the fall of kingdoms. Consequently, when William saw the comet, he may have taken it as a sign that his campaign against England would result in the fall of that kingdom. A tree marks the start of the next section of the story. The ghost ships in the lower border are associated with a foretelling of the coming Norman invasion. The man in the top border may represent the fable ‘The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury.’ (Aesopian interpretation - see Herrmann.) The sign of Pices (February 19 to March 20) appears in the lower border.