Tosty

Also known as: Earl Tosty / Tosty the earl · Family: English · Role: son of Godwin · First appears: A.D. 1046–1047

In 1051, Godwin and his wife and sons, including Tosty, were proclaimed outlaws by Edward son of Ethelred. Tosty left with his family for Thorney with Godwin, Sweyne and Grith. In 1055, the king gave him the earldom formerly held by Siward. In 1063, Tosty advanced against Wales with a land-force, while his brother Harold son of Godwin also campaigned there.

After the Yorkshire thanes outlawed Tosty in 1065, killed his household servants and seized his treasures, he went overseas with his wife and followers to Earl Baldwin, who received them. In 1066, Tosty returned with a fleet and was supplied with money and provisions; after plundering Lindsey, he was driven from the land by Earl Edwin and Morkar. He later joined Harald, King of Norway, submitting to him and becoming his man. Together they went into Humber and defeated Edwin and Morkar at York, but at Stanfordbridge Harold son of Godwin defeated them, and Tosty and Harald were slain.