Harold’s army continues their forced march to the North. The dragon banner appears in the top border and scenes of harvesting are taking place in the lower border. Harold received news of the Norwegian invasion on the 15th September, only five days prior to embarking on the long journey North. His army would have consisted of housecarls, thegns, the fyrd and ceorles. The housecarls were an elite fighting force and Harold’s own personal body guard. Thegns, a title borne by those holding at least five hides of land.The fyrd, or local militia, in which all freemen had to serve and ceorles, a peasant or lowest rank of freemen conscripted as shire levies.