The Rebellion Against Tostig

Tostig's Rebellion

Many people living in the earldom of Northumbria believed that Tostig Godwinson was abusing his power in Northumbria. This led to an uprising against him.

Violence in Northumbria

Many Northumbrians believed that Tostig was abusing his power and authority in Northumbria.
The nobles in Northumbria felt threatened by Tostig and some historians think he had threatened to crack down on them or even kill them.
In 1065 (in October), Northumbrian nobles (called thegns) began their revolt. They raised their local militia and marched to York.
The nobles requested that Morcar, the brother of the Earl of Mercia in 1065, become the new Earl of Northumberland, instead of Tostig.

Impact of the uprising

King Edward ordered all of the earls in England to squash the rebellion. However, these earls disobeyed the King's orders.
Harold Godwinson, who was Tostig's brother, and King Edward's political advisor agreed to install Morcar as the Earl of Northumbria.
Tostig Godwinson was exiled.
Harold Godwinson became the only credible successor to King Edward, with his brother living in exile. Tostig could not be a threat to succession if he wasn't even living in England and had no land or military power.

The country over family?

Some historians believe that Harold wanted to sacrifice his brother, in order to show that he would behave in England's interests, rather than the House of Godwin's interests.

1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66

1.1Anglo-Saxon Society

1.1.1The Monarchy & Government

1.1.2Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

1.1.3The Legal System

1.1.4Local Government

1.1.5The Economy & Social Structure

1.1.6Towns

1.1.7The Church

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.9Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon Society

1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis

1.2.1The House of Godwin

1.2.2Harold Godwinson's Succession

1.2.3The Rebellion Against Tostig

1.2.4Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Edward the Confessor

1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne

1.3.1William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar

1.3.2The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson

1.3.3The Battles of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge

1.3.4Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon & Norman England

1.4The Norman Invasion

1.4.1The Battle of Hastings

1.4.2Reasons for William's Victory

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rival Claimants for the Throne

2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87

2.1Establishing Control

2.1.1The Submission of the Earls

2.1.2Getting Control of England

2.1.3Reasons for Building Castles

2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance

2.2.1The Revolts against William

2.2.2End of Topic Test - William I in Power

2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087

2.3.1Harrying of the North, 1069-70

2.3.2Changes in Land Ownership 1066-1087

2.3.3William I Maintains Royal Power

2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075

2.4.1The Revolt - 1075

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Legacy of Resistance

2.4.3Grade 9 - Legacy of Resistance

3Norman England, 1066-88

3.1The Feudal System & the Church

3.1.1The Norman Feudal Hierarchy

3.1.2The Nature of Feudalism & Forfeiture

3.1.3The Role of the Church in England

3.1.4The Extent of Change to Anglo-Saxon Society

3.1.5End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

3.2Norman Government

3.2.1Norman Government - Regents

3.2.2The Sheriff & the Forest

3.2.3The Domesday Book

3.3The Norman Aristocracy

3.3.1Aristocratic Culture & Language

3.3.2Bishop Odo

3.4William I & His Sons

3.4.1William I

3.4.2William's Death & the Succession

3.4.3End of Topic Test - Norman Government

3.4.4Grade 9 - Norman Government

Jump to other topics