Page "Tostig Godwinson" Paragraph 5

On 3 October 1065, the thegns of Yorkshire and the rest of Yorkshire descended on York and occupied the city.

They killed Tostig's officials and supporters, then declared Tostig outlawed for his unlawful actions and sent for Morcar, younger brother of Edwin, Earl of Mercia.

The northern rebels marched south to press their case with King Edward.

They were joined at Northampton by Earl Edwin and his forces.

There, they were met by Earl Harold, who had been sent by King Edward to negotiate with them and thus did not bring his forces.

After Harold, by then the king's right hand man, had spoken with the rebels at Northampton, he likely realized that Tostig would not be able to retain Northumbria.

When he returned to Oxford, where the royal council was to meet on 28 October, he had probably already made up his mind.