Although some of his supporters tried to dissuade him from undertaking the journey, Robert convened a council in January 1035 and had the assembled Norman magnates swear fealty to William as his heir before leaving for Jerusalem.
Selvom nogle af støtter forsøgte at stoppe ham i at foretage rejsen, indkaldte Robert til råd i januar 1035, og han samlede de normanniske magthavere til at sværge troskab til Vilhelm som hans arving før han drog afsted.