Ships laden with men and horses make their way across the Channel. The small boats to the back add depth and give the impression that this is a very large fleet. Two vessels foundered on the way over. In one of them was lost a clerk, who claimed to be a prophet, and declared that William’s voyage would be prosperous, and Harold would yield without a blow. ‘A poor prophet was he,’ observed the duke, ‘who could not foretell of his own death.’ Notice the carved dragon’s head on the Viking long-ship. The figurehead was removable as Icelandic law disallowed the displaying of the dragon’s head whilst in port.