Earl Tostig, Earl of Northumbria

b. circa1025; d. 1066 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge

Tostig was the third son of Earl Godwin of Wessex and younger brother to Harold Godwinson, later to become Harold II.

In 1051 Tostig's father, and the rest of his powerful family, was exiled by Edward the Confessor. They returned the following year with a substantial army and were able to force the reinstatement of their lands. Three years later, Tostig became the Earl of Northumbria. However, Tostig was unpopular and in 1065 the Northumbrians rebelled against him. Harold Godwinson supported Morcar,Tostig's rival, against his brother and Tostig was forced into exile and joined Harold's enemies. He returned following Harold's accession to the throne in 1066, supporting an army of conquest led by Harald Hardrada. He was defeated and killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

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