Tostig was the third son of Godwin, the important Earl of Wessex and brother of the future King of England, Harold II. In 1051 Tostig married Judith the daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders (some sources say Baldwin IV). In the same year Tostig was expelled from Britain with the rest of his family after they rebelled against Edward the Confessor. A year later they returned and were reinstated into their powerful positions. Tostig was given the position of Earl of Northumbria in 1055 and was tasked with bringing the area under his control. In 1058 Malcolm III became the King of Scotland uniting the country under one leader. With Scotland under his control Malcolm was able to take his army into the north of England and Northumbria. Tostig did not confront Malcolm in battle preferring diplomacy to war and the attacks continued. Then in 1061 when both Tostig and Judith were on a pilgrimage to Rome the Scots again invaded Northumbria. The Northumbrian people were tired of Tostig's failure to protect their land and in 1065 a rebellion forced Tostig to flee to Flanders. The rebels chose Morcar as their new ruler. Tostig did not stay long in Flanders and in May 1066 he raised an army and attempted to invade England's south coast around the Isle of Wight. His attempts here must have failed as his fleet travelled up the east coast of England where they attacked Lincolnshire. Again his army was defeated and Tostig sailed to Scotland where was was able to spend time with King Malcolm. Still intent on invading England Tostig joined Harald Hardrada who's plans for invasion must have been well advanced. In September of 1066 Harald and Tostig invaded and after defeating the English at Gate Fulford took control of York. But on the 25th of September both were killed at the Battle of Stamford by an army led by Harold, the King of England.

 Tostig (Earl of Northumbria) (b.1025? - d.1066)