The Godwins - Case Study

• What year did Tostig Godwinson become Earl of Northumbria?

  1055
• What happened in the embassy to Normandy- 1064?

  Harold sent to Normandy in 1064- ships blew off course

  William rescued him and he spent time in Normandy with him- gifted armour and weapons as a mark of respect

  Anglo-saxon version- freeing hostage family members

  Harold made an oath to William (unknown what happened- holy relics or promise to secure the throne for William)
• What power did the Godwins have (explain all 3)

  Military- after being exiled they returned with an army and demanded back their Earldom

  Political- Harold had influence over thousands of thegns and was an advisor to Edward

  Economic- By 1065 they were richer than the King
• Explain why taxes were a reason for the uprising against Tostig

  Taxes were higher in the south- tostig raised taxes so they were the same as Wessex

  When the Northern thegns rebelled they attacked and captured York- raided tostigs treasury and stole all his coins
• Explain why culture differences were a reason for the uprising against Tostig

  Tostig was from the south of England

  Northumbria had always been ruled by a Northerner

  He became involved in blood feuds o northern thegns

  He had little understanding of local politics, culture and society
• Explain why ruling was a reason for the uprising against Tostig

  Early 1064 Tostig had 2 notable thegns Gamel and Ulf killed in his own chamber when they visited to complain about high taxes

  In 1064 arranged the murder of another thegn Gospatrick in the court of King Edward

  He imposed new laws which he used to confiscate land and money from important thegns by falsley accusing them of beings brigands and robbers
• Explain why the dealing with Scotland was a reason for the uprising against Tostig

  Instead of using military force to stop raids from the Scots he made peace with King Malcolm III

  Malcolm raided again and Tostig made peace and gave him part of England called Cumberland

  He was frequently absent when they raided