Tostig Godwinson (~1026- September 25, 1066), Earl of Northumbria, was son to Godwin, Earl of Wessex and his second wife Gytha Thorkelsdóttir. He was also one of the brothers of Harold II of England, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England.

Tostig married Judith (Fausta) of Flanders (1030- March 5, 1094), daughter of Count Baldwin IV of Flanders and half-sister of Baldwin V of Flanders. She was thus, the paternal aunt of Matilda of Flanders who was the wife of William the Conqueror.

Tostig had joined forces with Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, and they invaded England. His brother Harold II managed to defeat and kill both Harald III and Tostig at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066. However their defeat was followed by a second invasion by his nephew William II the Bastard, Duke of Normandy on September 28, 1066. Harold II was himself defeated and killed by William the Bastard at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. William the Bastard, thus became King William I the Conqueror of England.

Popular (as opposed to scholarly) non-fiction books that cover Tostig's life and role in history include:

• 1066 The Year of the Conquest (©1977) by David Howarth (ISBN 0-88029-014-5)
• The Making of the King 1066 (©1966) by Alan Lloyd (ISBN 0-88029-473-6)
• The Last English King (©2000) by Julian Rathbone (ISBN 0-349-11385-8)

External link

• A pedigree of him ; not necessarily reliable