The Rising Against Tostig, 1065

• The Godwins were an incredibly powerful noble family in England before the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest
• Sons of Earl Godwin

  • Harold Godwinson
  • Tostig Godwinson
  • Edith
  • Gif Leofwin
  • Wolfnoth
• Harold Godwinson


  Became Earl of Wessex and Sussex in 1053, led military campaigns, claimed the throne in 1066, and married Edith of Mercia
• Tostig Godwinson

  Became Earl of Northumbria in 1055, was ousted by Harold on behalf of King Edward the Confessor in 1065, and sided with Harold Hardrada in 1066
• Relevant individuals

  • Harold Godwinson
  • Tostig Godwinson
  • Edith
  • Gif Leofwin
  • Wolfnoth
• The Dane Law was a division of England dating back to a peace treaty with the Vikings
• By 1060, the King of England ruled all of England, but Viking customs and privileges often survived in the north
• Tostig had cultural problems as he was from Wessex and became Earl of Northumbria, where the laws, language, and customs were different
• Tostig raised taxes in Northumbria to pay for his war in Wales, causing discontent among the people
• Many Northumbrians felt they should be ruled by northerners who would understand their culture better
• Northumbrians rose up against Tostig due to cultural differences, taxation issues, and accusations of unfairness in his rule
• Edward the Confessor ruled from 1042 until his death in 1066, causing a succession crisis over who should be the next king
• Tostig Godwinson became Earl of Northumbria in 1055 after the death of Earl Siward
• Northumbria was an important earldom guarding the border with Scotland and had a history of Viking attacks and settlement
• In 1065, several Northumbrian things rose up against Tostig's rule due to cultural differences and taxation issues
• Many Northumbrians accused Tostig of being unjust and unfair
• Tostig used his legal powers to remove rivals and accused people of crimes to take their land
• Tostig introduced unpopular new laws in Northumbria
• Tostig was good friends with Malcolm III, King of Scotland
• In 1061, King Malcolm invaded Northumbria while Tostig was away on pilgrimage
• When Tostig returned, he agreed to peace terms with Malcolm, giving up land
• Tostig invited two things loyal to a noble named Dos Patrick to his hall at York, and they were murdered
• Dos Patrick complained to Edward but was himself murdered in 1064
• Large numbers of Northumbrians rose up against Tostig's rule in October of 1065, killing members of his household in York and Lincoln
• The rebels invited Morkar to become their new Earl of Northumbria
• Harold Godwinson met with the rebels and agreed to their demands, leading to Tostig's exile in November 1065
• Harold married Morcar's sister and gained large land holdings in Mercia, becoming an influential figure in Northumbria
• Harold needed a united kingdom to hold off threats from Normandy and Scandinavia
• Tostig's removal meant he was no longer a rival to the throne
• Tostig became Earl in 1055, fell out with his earls, and faced various challenges leading to his exile in 1065
• Tostig was unpopular due to his actions and relationships with Scotland
• Edward the Confessor's weakness as a king was exposed during these events
• Harold Godwinson's strength and actions made him a likely candidate for the next King of England
• The events involving Tostig and the rebellion in Northumbria were part of the culturally Viking Danelaw with its own laws and customs distinct from the south
• Harold Godwinson was sent by Edward the Confessor to handle the rebellion and exile Tostig, leading to Harold's rise in power
• Tostig later sided with Harald Hardrada of Norway in the invasion of 1066
• Harold Godwinson's actions made him a more likely candidate for the next King of England