Tostig Godwinson
Earl of Northumbria; ally of Harald Hardrada
"He would rather die with honor than flee his brother's kingdom."
Biography
Tostig Godwinson was Harold's younger brother and Earl of Northumbria, but his harsh rule provoked a great northern rebellion in 1065. When King Edward — and Harold himself — declined to restore him by force, the embittered Tostig was outlawed and driven into exile, nursing a fierce grievance against his own family. In 1066 Tostig threw in his lot with England's enemies, raiding the coast and then joining Harald Hardrada's Norwegian invasion. He fought beside the Norwegians at Fulford and Stamford Bridge, where he was killed alongside Hardrada by his brother's army. His defection split the house of Godwin at the decisive moment and helped draw Harold's strength north, away from the Norman landing — a personal feud that became a national catastrophe.
Did you know?
His misrule sparked the 1065 northern revolt that ousted him — the breach in the Godwin family that he avenged by helping invade England.
Key Battles
Battle of Fulford
Norwegian Invaders victorySeptember 20, 1066 · 5,000 total casualties
Fulford broke the military power of northern England and forced King Harold to march his army the length of the country at desperate speed. It set up the lightning campaign that would exhaust the English even before William's Normans landed in the south — a fateful drain on Harold's strength.
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Anglo-Saxon England victorySeptember 25, 1066 · 8,000 total casualties
Stamford Bridge ended the era of Viking invasions of England that had begun nearly three centuries before — but it was a victory won at terrible cost and timing. Harold's army was exhausted and far from the south coast when, three days later, William's Normans landed in Sussex. The triumph helped doom Harold at Hastings.
Life Journey
Timeline
c. 1026
🌅 Birth
Born into the house of Godwin
1055
📍 Posting
Becomes Earl of Northumbria
September 20, 1066
⚔️ Battle
Fights at Fulford alongside Hardrada
September 25, 1066
✝️ Death
Killed at Stamford Bridge against his brother Harold