William, the duke of Normandy: 1048 to 1060

Count Baldwin of Flanders has no intention of risking his own security in order to bring a large enough army to help you. The time that you wasted pursuing this strategy has made your position untenable: the royal army has taken several key fortresses, and threatens too many of your vassals' fiefs. There was a moment back there, when the invaders were fording the Dives, that you could have taken advantage of their vulnerability - had you only been waiting for such an opportunity - but that one chance is lost now. Any future you have as duke of Normandy will be only after you have surrendered on terms which will completely curtail all your ambitions: history will only know you as William the Bastard; there will be no "Conqueror" added to your name.

If you choose to hazard the extreme risk of an uneven battle (rather than surrender), toss the coin of fate (yet again?): Heads, you win the battle.: tails you lose your life.