Edward the Confessor, King of England « The Freelance History Writer July 29, 2012 By Susan Abernethy in Anglo-Saxon History , Medieval History Tags: Earl Godwin of Wessex , Edith of Wessex , Edward the Confessor , Emma of Normandy , Harold Godwinson , Harold Harefoot , King Cnut , King Harthacnut , King of England , Westminster Abbey 9 Comments Edward the Confessor Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king who could trace his ancestry back to King Alfred the Great and King Cerdic of Wessex. He was the great-great-great grandson of Alfred and he died childless, leaving England open to conquest from overseas. Edward’s father was Aethelred the Unready , the hapless king who was besieged by the Vikings on all coasts. In 1002, he was widowed and contracted a marriage with Emma of Normandy , the sister of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Edward was born at Islip in Oxfordshire within the first two years of his parents wedding.

Edward’s mother was a formidable woman but his father was not someone he could look up to and he may even have been ashamed of him. Aethelred was in an impossible situation with all the attacks and when Edward was about ten, his father was deposed and the whole family had to go into exile under the protection of Edward’s uncle in Normandy. Aethelred was restored to the throne of England in 1014 and Edward was given a chance to serve his future subjects. Instead of appearing in England himself, Aethelred sent Edward to represent him at great risk to Edward’s life. Edward carried out the mission well and the Witan (council) banned any future Danish kings due to his model behavior. But two years later, Aethelred had died and Edward and his brother Alfred were back in Normandy. Their half brother, Edmund Ironside was fighting to keep the throne from the Danish King Cnut . By the end of 1016, Edmund was dead and Cnut convinced the Witan to elect him King of England. In order to keep her place of power, Edward’s mother Emma married King Cnut.

Emma made Cnut swear no sons by any other wife or mistress could inherit the throne other than her sons, in essence abandoning Edward and Alfred. She was to have a son Harthacnut in 1018 who was to become her favorite. Edward and Alfred were in exile and in limbo and the only one keeping them from possible assassination was their mother. Edward and Alfred grew to manhood in the custody of their uncle who didn’t want to risk sponsoring their return to the throne. Cnut died in 1035 and their prospects turned a little brighter. Cnut’s illegitimate son, Harold Harefoot had seized the throne but Emma was fighting to get her son Harthacnut on the throne. Harthacnut was in Denmark and was taking his time coming back. In 1036, Edward and Alfred both returned with forces to England. Edward turned back realizing he was outnumbered. Alfred landed with larger forces but was greeted by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Godwine was the most powerful earl in the kingdom and an alliance between the sons of Aethelred and King Harold Harefoot was a threat to his position.

Godwin attacked and decimated Alfred’s forces and took custody of Alfred. He had Alfred’s eyes gouged out, unmercifully mutilating him. Alfred was taken to the monks at Ely and left to die of his gruesome wounds. This may have deterred Edward from trying again to gain the throne and he may have felt guilty about the death of his brother. One thing is certain, he never forgave Godwin for murdering his brother. The English soon grew tired of the antics of Harthacnut and Harold Harefoot. Harthacnut had finally prevailed and ruled as King from March 1040 until his death at a drunken wedding celebration in June 1042. Edward was in Normandy when he got the news. He returned to England and the Witan elected him King. He was enthroned at Canterbury and later crowned at the Old Minster at Winchester on April 3, 1043. Edward needed Godwin of Wessex and his power base to shore up his own power. Godwin had escaped being punished for Alfred’s death by giving gifts to Harthacnut and insisting that Harold Harefoot had made him do it.

At the very least, Edward knew Godwin was responsible for this brother’s death. Edward needed all the help he could get to fight a looming threat of invasion by Magnus of Norway. Edward strengthened the naval fleet and was on alert every year until Magnus died in 1047. In the meantime, Edward’s mother Emma may have conspired with Magnus. This was a massive betrayal by Emma and in mid- November 1043, Edward and the most important nobles rode to Winchester to take the treasury keys away from Emma who had guarded the treasury since Harthacnut’s death. Edward let her live out the rest of her life in relative peace but with no authority. From 1046 to 1051, Edward was in a continuous power struggle with Godwin. His only saving grace was the family was divided amongst themselves. Edward detested Godwin but knew that civil strife was the only answer to the struggle and he didn’t want to risk starting a war. Earl Godwin’s ambition knew no bounds and he set about carving out earldoms for his many sons and persuaded Edward to marry his daughter Edith .

In 1051, Eustace of Boulogne, brother-in-law to Edward, made a state visit and started a brawl in Dover with the townspeople. Eustace’s motives are a mystery. Edward ordered Godwin to ravage Dover and the surrounding area. He refused and actually brought his army to defy Edward. Edward raised a larger army and Godwin’s support began to waiver. Godwin and his sons refused to come before the Witan and explain themselves. Edward gave them five days to leave the country. They left for Flanders and Edward banned Edith to a nunnery. Edward’s victory seemed complete but there was now a power vacuum in the South which Edward had a hard time filling. Also in 1051, it’s possible that young William, Duke of Normandy visited England and Edward may have promised him the throne at this time. In 1052, Godwin and his sons returned and invaded. Edward was forced to negotiate, restoring Godwin and all his sons and recalling Edith from the nunnery. Seven months later Godwin collapsed and died of a stroke while dining with Edward. Edward never fully recovered from this invasion and seizure of his power by Godwin.

After the great Earl’s death, his son Harold Godwinson stepped in to fill the void. In the last ten years of Edward’s reign, Harold Godwinson became the foremost general in the kingdom, mostly by fighting the Welsh. Edward withdrew more and more into religious life and concentrated on building his legacy, West Minster on the north bank of the Thames. He cultivated a reputation for sanctity and may have initiated the practice of the king touching and healing people with “the king’s evil”, scrofula, a form of tuberculosis. Kings were to follow this practice until the 18th Century. He recalled his nephew Edward the Exile from Hungary, who mysteriously died shortly after arriving in England leaving a young son, Edgar Aetheling and daughter Margaret , who was to become Queen of Scotland. Edward sent Harold Godwinson to Normandy, possibly to assure William of Normandy he would inherit the throne. William possibly made Harold swear he would act as regent until he could come to England to claim his inheritance. This saga is told in the Bayeux Tapestry. Edward managed to prevent Godwin and his power hungry sons from seizing total power but was able to use the best of their abilities to his advantage.

He was upstanding and pious, making him a cut above some of the ruthless and treacherous men around him. He came to the throne in his forties, ruled for 24 years and managed to consecrate his beloved West Minster on December 28, 1065. He died in his sixties on January 5, 1066. Harold Godwinson exploited the reality of the situation on the death of Edward with the country facing invasion by the Norwegian king and William of Normandy. He had himself declared king by the Witan. The new West Minster saw the funeral of Edward and the crowning of Harold. Harold was to lose the throne to William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings in October of 1066. Rumors of miracles attributed to Edward began before he died. It was believed by many he was celibate due to his childless marriage. “The Life of King Edward” commissioned by his wife Queen Edith was instrumental in recording his holy life. There was scant evidence of miracles before his death and even scantier proof and downright fabricated miracles after his death, such as cures at his tomb and visions by others.

More evidence of miracles does not appear until 1134. Canonization was sought in 1138-1139 but the Pope was not convinced. After 36 years, the body of Edward was disinterred and said to be intact with his long white beard curled upon his chest. This was a convincing sign of a Saint. In 1161, King Henry II and Westminster requested canonization from Pope Alexander III and he approved Edward as a Saint and Confessor. In 1269, King Henry III translated the remains of Edward to his new tomb in the newly rebuilt Westminster Abbey. Shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey Further reading: “Edward the Confessor” by Frank Barlow, “Saxon Kings” and “The Fall of Saxon England” by Richard Humble, “1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry” by Andrew Bridgford Share this: BBC - History - Edward the Confessor z Edward the Confessor © Edward, the penultimate Anglo-Saxon king of England, was known as 'the Confessor' because of his deep piety.

Edward was the son of Ethelred II 'the Unready' and Emma, the daughter of Richard I of Normandy. The family was exiled in Normandy after the Danish invasion of 1013, but returned the following year and negotiated Ethelred's reinstatement. After Ethelred's death in 1016 the Danes again took control of England. Edward lived in exile until 1041, when he returned to the London court of his half brother, Hardecanute. He became king in 1042. Much of his reign was peaceful and prosperous. Skirmishes with the Scots and Welsh were only occasional and internal administration was maintained. The financial and judicial systems were efficient and trade was good. However, Edward's introduction to court of some Norman friends prompted resentment, particularly in the houses of Mercia and Wessex, which both held considerable power. For the first 11 years of Edward's reign the real ruler of England was Godwine, Earl of Wessex. Edward married Godwine's daughter Edith in 1045, but this could not prevent a breach between the two men in 1049.

Two years later, with the support of Leofric of Mercia, Edward outlawed Godwine and his family. However, Edward's continued favouritism caused problems with his nobles and in 1052 Godwine and his sons returned. The magnates were not prepared to engage them in civil war and forced the king to make terms. Godwine's lands were returned to him and many of Edward's Norman favourites were exiled. When Godwine died in 1053, his son Harold took over. It was he, rather than Edward, who subjugated Wales in 1063 and negotiated with the rebellious Northumbrians in 1065. Consequently, shortly before his death, Edward named Harold as his successor even though he may already have promised the crown to a distant cousin, William, Duke of Normandy. He died on 4 January 1066 and was buried in the abbey he had constructed at Westminster. Saint Edward - St. Edward the Confessor Anglican Church he following examines his life in more detail; the images are from an early 13th century manuscript about his life : Battle of Stamford Bridge dward lived in violent times.

After a long history of Saxon kings, the English throne had become a prize sought by ambitious Normans, Saxons, and Vikings. Edward’s father, King Ethelred the Unready, gained and kept his throne by the sword. The people suffered greatly: heavy taxes were levied to bribe the Vikings to leave England at peace; but the Viking raids continued. Ethelred married Emma of Normandy, a daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy, to gain Duke Richard’s support against the Vikings; this marriage would later help give the Normans, who coveted England, one reason to claim the English throne. nto this time of tumult, Edward was born, a very different kind of man: he had no ambition except for the welfare of his people; he won the throne by election, not by the sword; and he gave his subjects a time of peace, prosperity, and good government that was remembered by the people for centuries. dward was born in Islip, Oxfordshire, in about 1003. He spent his early years in relative peace at Ely Abbey: this abbey, founded in 673 by St.

Etheldreda, was one of the richest and most influential abbeys of the time. (Ely Abbey still exists, known today as Ely Cathedral.) In 1013, however, when Edward was about 10, Ethelred and his family were forced to flee into exile when Sweyn Forkbeard, the Viking King of Denmark, seized the English throne. dward and his brother Alfred were taken to the court of his uncle, Duke Richard II of Normandy, where they would be able to live in safety. Edward was to live in Normandy for nearly half his life. During this time he quite naturally grew very close to the Normans: this became a problem later, when he was King; he would antagonize the Saxons by introducing Normans and their ways into England. dward’s father Ethelred died soon after they had fled to Normandy. Edmund Ironside, Edward’s elder half-brother, was briefly King: however, the Viking prince, Canute, fought Edmund, killed him, and made himself King. Edward’s mother Emma then married Canute, agreeing that her future children by King Canute would be the heirs to the English throne.

uring his sojourn in Normandy, Edward came to be very pious. He made a vow of chastity, and spent much time at prayer, assisting at services, and helping in church activities. He developed the reputation of having a saintly character: this later would help persuade the Saxons to choose Edward as King. ing Canute the Great died in 1035: his successor should have been Edward’s half-brother Hardicanute, son of Canute and Emma, but Hardicanute was in Denmark when Canute died, and the throne was seized by Hardicanute’s illegitimate brother, Harold Harefoot. Harold cruelly oppressed the English people. In 1036 Edward and his brother Alfred tried to free their people, but failed: Edward escaped to Normandy; Alfred was betrayed, captured, blinded, tortured, and murdered. ing Harold Harefoot died in 1041, so Hardicanute was finally able to ascend the throne, where he proved himself as brutal and hated as Harold. However, Hardicanute reigned for only a short time, dying in 1042, leaving no heir: this ended the brief Viking dynasty in England.

Edward was finally able to sail back to England, where he was to live for the remainder of his life. dward was elected King in 1042, after Hardicanute’s death. (In this era the English and Scandinavian kings were normally elected unless the throne was taken by force.) Edward was chosen partly due to his saintly character, and partly because he had the strongest claim to the throne: the Viking dynasty was extinct; Edward was the son of one king, Ethelred II, and a half-brother to both King Edmund Ironside (the previous Saxon king) and King Hardicanute (the last Viking king). ing Edward did not wish to marry: he had long before made a vow of chastity. But he was persuaded by his advisors to marry, and in 1045 he married Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin of Wessex: she had to agree, however, to honour his vow; they would therefore have no children. Edith was reputed to be virtuous, which made her a good match for Edward. dith’s father, Earl Godwin, however, was far from virtuous.

He was ambitious and ruthless: he coveted the crown for his family, and was a major power in England. Godwin, it was found, had taken part in the betrayal of Edward’s brother, Alfred. Godwin schemed to put one of his sons on the throne. And Godwin rebelled against Edward, for which crime he and his family, including Edith, were outlawed. But Edward was forced to reinstate them: Godwin was too influential, and had the support of too many Saxons, who were angry with Edward’s Normanization of England. dward’s reign was one of peace and prosperity. He managed the country well. He resolved internal conflicts without bloodshed. He engaged in no wars, except to defend England from Viking and Welsh raids, and to help King Malcolm III of Scotland regain the throne which Macbeth had taken from Malcolm’ father, King Duncan. Edward ended the ‘Danegelt’, the brutal tax levied to bribe the Vikings. He ended the taxes raised to support the court, instead using money raised from his own estates. He listened to complaints, and dispensed justice fairly. He was generous in giving to the poor and to the church. Only his Norman affinities created discontent.

any miracles were attributed to Edward. He was said to have had visions, giving him foresight into events that would take place, or into actions that he should take. He was also said to have healed the blind, the crippled, and the diseased; even after his death, people came to his tomb to be cured of their ailments. dward promised to build an abbey for St. Peter in Westminster. He fell ill, however, and died early in 1066, a week after the abbey was dedicated. Edward’s body rests in his abbey, now better known as Westminster Abbey, where also rest many other great figures in English history. Edward was canonized in 1161: he is referred to as St. Edward the Confessor; ‘Confessor’ denoted someone whose life proclaimed their faith, but whose death was not a martyr’s death. fter Edward’s death, violence briefly returned to England. Though in many ways he was a very good king, in one critical sense he was not: he failed to select a credible successor. He had no children. He promised the throne to the Duke of Normandy, but this was rejected by the Saxons.

Later it seemed as if he might be succeeded by a nephew, a son of Edmund Ironside, but the nephew died. On Edward’s death-bed he bequeathed the crown to Earl Godwin’s son, Harold. But Harold had no royal blood. This resulted in a disputed throne and two invasions of England in 1066. The first was by the Viking King, Harald Hardrede: it was repulsed at great cost at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The second was by William of Normandy: this resulted in Harold Godwinson’s death at the Battle of Hastings, and an end to the Saxon kings. The next dynasty was Norman, established by William the Conqueror. For more information, please refer to the links page. ost images on this page are from an early 13th century manuscript about St. Edward . We are indebted to Cambridge University for preserving and publishing this important work. his page refers to people by names used today, but their actual names were somewhat different. Here is a list of today’s names, their original names, and their meanings. Caution: those with older browsers may have fonts which lack special characters appearing here.

Duke Richard I of Normandy (father of Emma, Edward the Confessor’s mother) also known as Richard Sans Peur : “Richard” means “powerful leader”; “Sans Peur” means “fearless”. Duke Richard II of Normandy also known as Richard Le Bon : “Richard” means “powerful leader”; “Le Bon” means “the good”. Earl Godwin of Wessex (father of Edith, Edward the Confessor’s wife) also known as Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn or Goodwyn : “Godwin” and its variants meant “friend of God” or “good friend”, though his actions proved that he was neither. Edith of Wessex (Edward the Confessor’s wife, and the daughter of Earl Godwin of Wessex) : “Edith” meant “prosperous in war”. King Canute the Great also known as Cnut or Knud or Knut the Great, and in Norse as “Knútr inn ríki” : “Canute” and its variants meant “knot”.

King Edmund Ironside (half-brother of Edward the Confessor) : “Edmund” (or Eadmund) meant “prosperous protection”; “Ironside” was a nickname referring to his great strength. King Edward the Confessor : “Edward” (or Eadweard) meant “guardian of prosperity”; “Confessor” denotes someone whose life proclaimed their faith, but who wasn’t martyred. King Ethelred II the Unready (father of Edward the Confessor), in Old English “Æþelræd Unræd”. “Ethelred” (Æþelræd) meant “noble counsel” or “noble advice”; the nickname “the unready” (Unræd), given to him long after he died, meant “poorly advised”: he was named thus because he got poor advice from his counsellors. King Harald III of Norway also known as Harald Sigurdsson or Harald Hardrada or Harald Hardrede : “Harald” meant “army ruler”; “Sigurdsson” meant “son of Sigurd”; “Hardrada or Hardrede” meant “stern counsel or hard ruler”.

King Hardicanute (son of King Canute the Great and of Emma, mother of Edward the Confessor, hence a half-brother to Edward the Confessor) also known as Harthacnut, Harthacanute, Hardicanute, Hardecanute, and in Norse as Hörthaknútr : “Canute” and its variants meant “knot”; “Hardi” and its variants meant “the hardy”, hence “Hardicanute” was “Canute the Hardy”. King Harold II of England (son of Earl Godwin of Wessex), also known as Harold Godwinson : “Harold” meant “army ruler”; “Godwinson” meant “son of Godwin”. King Harold Harefoot (son of King Canute the Great and of Ælfgifu of Northampton) : “Harold” meant “army ruler”; “Harefoot” is a nickname which referred to his speed and prowess as a hunter.

King Macbeth of Scotland , originally Mac Bethad mac Findlaích, also known as Rí Deircc : “mac Findlaích” meant “son of Findlaích”; “Rí Deircc” meant “The Red King”. King Malcolm III of Scotland , originally Máel Coluim mac Donnchada, also named King Malcolm Canmore : “Malcolm or Máel Coluim” meant “devotee of Saint Columba”; “Canmore” is a nickname which meant “great chief, or big head, or long-neck”. King Sweyn Forkbeard (father of King Canute), also known as Sweyn (or Sveinn or Swegen) Tiugeskaeg (or Tjúguskegg), and also as Svein Otto Haraldsson : “Tiugeskaeg” or “Tjúguskegg” meant “forked beard”; “Haraldsson” meant “son of Harald”.

King William I of England , also known as Duke William II of Normandy, William the Conqueror (in French, Guillaume le Conquérant), and William the Bastard (in French, Guillaume le Bâtard) : “William” meant “will, or helmet, or protection”; “Conqueror” (or le Conquérant) refers to his role as conqueror of England; “Bastard” (or le Bâtard) refers to the fact that he was illegitimate. Edward the Confessor, King of England - Medieval Archives Edward the Confessor, King of England Written on 27 March 2013 by Archivist in Nobility Edward the Confessor Susan Abernethy joins the Medieval Archives with another great post. Susan is the Freelance History Writer, covering topics from Ancient history to the 20th Century. Visit her blog at thefreelancehistorywriter.com . You can also like Susan on Facebook or follow Susan on Twitter . ~The Archivist Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king who could trace his ancestry back to King Alfred the Great and King Cerdic of Wessex.

He was the great-great-great-great grandson of Alfred and he died childless, leaving England open to conquest from overseas. Edward’s father was Aethelred the Unready, the hapless king who was besieged by the Vikings on all coasts. In 1002, he was widowed and contracted a marriage with Emma, the sister of Richard, Duke of Normandy. Edward was born at Islip in Oxfordshire within the first two years of his parents wedding. Edward’s mother was a formidable woman but his father was not someone he could look up to and he may even have been ashamed of him. Aethelred was in an impossible situation with all the attacks and when Edward was about ten, his father was deposed and the whole family had to go into exile under the protection of Edward’s uncle in Normandy. Aethelred was restored to the throne of England in 1014 and Edward was given a chance to serve his future subjects. Instead of appearing in England himself, Aethelred sent Edward to represent him at great risk to Edward’s life. Edward carried out the mission well and the Witan (council) banned any future Danish kings due to his model behavior.

But two years later, Aethelred had died and Edward and his brother Alfred were back in Normandy. Their half brother, Edmund Ironside was fighting to keep the throne from the Danish King Cnut. By the end of 1016, Edmund was dead and Cnut convinced the Witan to elect him King of England. In order to keep her place of power, Edward’s mother Emma married King Cnut. Emma made Cnut swear no sons by any other wife or mistress could inherit the throne other than her sons, in essence abandoning Edward and Alfred. She was to have a son Harthacnut in 1018 who was to become her favorite. Edward and Alfred were in exile and in limbo and the only one keeping them from possible assassination was their mother. Edward and Alfred grew to manhood in the custody of their uncle who didn’t want to risk sponsoring their return to the throne. Cnut died in 1035 and their prospects turned a little brighter. Cnut’s illegitimate son, Harold Harefoot had seized the throne but Emma was fighting to get her son Harthacnut on the throne. Harthacnut was in Denmark and was taking his time coming back.

In 1036, Edward and Alfred both returned with forces to England. Edward turned back realizing he was outnumbered. Alfred landed with larger forces but was greeted by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Godwine was the most powerful earl in the kingdom and an alliance between the sons of Aethelred and King Harold Harefoot was a threat to his position. Godwin attacked and decimated Alfred’s forces and took custody of Alfred. He had Alfred’s eyes gouged out, unmercifully mutilating him. Alfred was taken to the monks at Ely and left to die of his gruesome wounds. This may have deterred Edward from trying again to gain the throne and he may have felt guilty about the death of his brother. One thing is certain, he never forgave Godwin for murdering his brother. The English soon grew tired of the antics of Harthacnut and Harold Harefoot. Harthacnut had finally prevailed and ruled as King from March 1040 until his death at a drunken wedding celebration in June 1042. Edward was in Normandy when he got the news. He returned to England and the Witan elected him King.

He was enthroned at Canterbury and later crowned at the Old Minster at Winchester on April 3, 1043. Edward needed Godwin of Wessex and his power base to shore up his own power. Godwin had escaped being punished for Alfred’s death by giving gifts to Harthacnut and insisting that Harold Harefoot had made him do it. At the very least, Edward knew Godwin was responsible for this brother’s death. Edward needed all the help he could get to fight a looming threat of invasion by Magnus of Norway. Edward strengthened the naval fleet and was on alert every year until Magnus died in 1047. In the meantime, Edward’s mother Emma may have conspired with Magnus. This was a massive betrayal by Emma and in mid- November 1043, Edward and the most important nobles rode to Winchester to take the treasury keys away from Emma who had guarded the treasury since Harthacnut’s death. Edward let her live out the rest of her life in relative peace but with no authority. From 1046 to 1051, Edward was in a continuous power struggle with Godwin. His only saving grace was the family was divided amongst themselves.

Edward detested Godwin but knew that civil strife was the only answer to the struggle and he didn’t want to risk starting a war. Earl Godwin’s ambition knew no bounds and he set about carving out earldoms for his many sons and persuaded Edward to marry his daughter Edith. In 1051, Eustace of Boulogne, brother-in-law to Edward, made a state visit and started a brawl in Dover with the townspeople. Eustace’s motives are a mystery. Edward ordered Godwin to ravage Dover and the surrounding area. He refused and actually brought his army to defy Edward. Edward raised a larger army and Godwin’s support began to waiver. Godwin and his sons refused to come before the Witan and explain themselves. Edward gave them five days to leave the country. They left for Flanders and Edward banned Edith to a nunnery. Edward’s victory seemed complete but there was now a power vacuum in the South which Edward had a hard time filling. Also in 1051, it’s possible that young William, Duke of Normandy visited England and Edward may have promised him the throne at this time.

In 1052, Godwin and his sons returned and invaded. Edward was forced to negotiate, restoring Godwin and all his sons and recalling Edith from the nunnery. Seven months later Godwin collapsed and died of a stroke while dining with Edward. Edward never fully recovered from this invasion and seizure of his power by Godwin. After the great Earl’s death, his son Harold Godwinson stepped in to fill the void. In the last ten years of Edward’s reign, Harold Godwinson became the foremost general in the kingdom, mostly by fighting the Welsh. Edward withdrew more and more into religious life and concentrated on building his legacy, West Minster on the north bank of the Thames. He cultivated a reputation for sanctity and may have initiated the practice of the king touching and healing people with “the king’s evil”, scrofula, a form of tuberculosis. Kings were to follow this practice until the 18th Century. He recalled his nephew Edward the Exile from Hungary, who mysteriously died shortly after arriving in England leaving a young son, Edgar Aetheling and daughter Margaret, who was to become Queen of Scotland.

Edward sent Harold Godwinson to Normandy, possibly to assure William of Normandy he would inherit the throne. William possibly made Harold swear he would act as regent until he could come to England to claim his inheritance. This saga is told in the Bayeux Tapestry. Edward managed to prevent Godwin and his power hungry sons from seizing total power but was able to use the best of their abilities to his advantage. He was upstanding and pious, making him a cut above some of the ruthless and treacherous men around him. He came to the throne in his forties, ruled for 24 years and managed to consecrate his beloved West Minster on December 28, 1065. He died in his sixties on January 5, 1066. Harold Godwinson exploited the reality of the situation on the death of Edward with the country facing invasion by the Norwegian king and William of Normandy. He had himself declared king by the Witan. The new West Minster saw the funeral of Edward and the crowning of Harold. Harold was to lose the throne to William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings in October of 1066.

Rumors of miracles attributed to Edward began before he died. It was believed by many he was celibate due to his childless marriage. “The Life of King Edward” commissioned by his wife Queen Edith was instrumental in recording his holy life. There was scant evidence of miracles before his death and even scantier proof and downright fabricated miracles after his death, such as cures at his tomb and visions by others. More evidence of miracles does not appear until 1134. Canonization was sought in 1138-1139 but the Pope was not convinced. After 36 years, the body of Edward was disinterred and said to be intact with his long white beard curled upon his chest. This was a convincing sign of a Saint. In 1161, King Henry II and Westminster requested canonization from Pope Alexander III and he approved Edward as a Saint and Confessor. In 1269, King Henry III translated the remains of Edward to his new tomb in the newly rebuilt Westminster Abbey.

Shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey Resources: “Edward the Confessor” by Frank Barlow, “Saxon Kings” and “The Fall of Saxon England” by Richard Humble, “1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry” by Andrew Bridgford (c) 2012 Historical Britain Blog » Why was King Edward called the Confessor? The History Behind the Story Why was King Edward called the Confessor? January 1, 2015 by Mercedes Rochelle | Filed under General 11th Century topics . Edward the Confessor is the only King of England to be canonized, though I think many would see him as an unlikely saint. Just for the record, up until the 4th century a Confessor was seen as a holy person who was tortured and suffered for his faith but not killed, as opposed to martyrs who were killed for their faith. After that, since persecutions had mostly ceased, a Confessor was a holy person who by virtue of his writings and preachings became an object of veneration.

In reality, it seems that Edward’s canonization was more politically driven, as Osbert of Clare, the prior of Westminster Abbey started a campaign in the 12th century to increase the importance (and wealth) of the Abbey. It took 20 some-odd years, a new Pope and a new King of England (Henry II) to finally canonize Edward in 1161. Ironically, his Feast Day is Oct. 13, the day before the Battle of Hastings anniversary (actually, it had nothing to do with Hastings. That was the day he was translated-moved to his new tomb-by St. Thomas of Canterbury in Henry II’s presence). What made Edward so holy? Well, it is conjectured that his widow Editha commissioned the Life of King Edward (Vita Ædwardi Regis) partly to glorify the deeds of her family, partly to glorify her husband, and partly to excuse her lack of children. After all, if Edward was considered a holy man who was not interested in the things of this world, his sanctity would include refraining from the marriage bed; she couldn’t be held responsible for England’s fate.

Nonetheless, this was our most important source for his life and cast him in a holy light. According to Catholic.org, “By 1138, he (Osbert) had converted the Vita Ædwardi…into a conventional saint’s life.” Here is a legend I found on the Westminster Abbey website: “Edward was riding by a church in Essex and an old man asked for alms. As the king had no money to give he drew a large ring off his finger and gave this to the beggar. A few years later two pilgrims were traveling in the Holy Land and became stranded. They were helped by an old man and when he knew they came from England he told them he was St John the Evangelist and asked them to return the ring to Edward telling him that in six months he would join him in heaven.” When his uncorrupted body was translated in 1163 the ring was removed and placed with the Abbey relics, which of course were plundered in 1540 when the monastery was dissolved. Edward’s body was moved to some obscure place, but Mary Tudor had it returned in 1557 and replaced the stolen jewels with new ones.

Edward was considered one of the Patron Saints of England until Edward III created the Order of the Garter and promoted St. George in his place, although he has remained the patron saint of the English royal family. He is the first English King to cure people suffering from scrofula, “the king’s evil” by the touch of his hand; William of Malmesbury stated that he was already known for this in Normandy while an exile. Interestingly, he is also the patron saint of difficult marriages and separated spouses. Many would see his ungracious treatment of Earl Godwine in 1051, not to mention his insistence that Godwine wreak havoc with the unfortunate citizens of Dover, as unsaintly behavior. But in the end, his ardor in building Westminster Cathedral seems to have overcome any earlier indiscretions.

Westminster Abbey » Edward the Confessor and Edith Edward the Confessor and Edith Home > History > Royals > Edward the Confessor and Edith Died: 05 Jan, 1066 Burial Date: 13 Oct, 1163 Location in the Abbey: Shrine Type of memorial: Tomb Type of material: Marble Edward, called the Confessor, was born at Islip in Oxfordshire between 1002 and 1005, the son of King Ethelred 'the Unready' and Emma. Driven from England by the Danes, and spending his exile in Normandy, the story goes that Edward vowed that if he should return safely to his kingdom, he would make a pilgrimage to St Peter's, Rome. But once on the throne he found it impossible to leave his subjects, and the Pope released him from his vow on condition that he should found or restore a monastery to St Peter. This led to the building of a new church in the Norman style to replace the Saxon church at Westminster. The Abbey at Westminster was consecrated on Holy Innocents' Day, 28 December 1065, but the king was ill and unable to be present at the service.

This church was demolished by Henry III to build the present Gothic structure, in honour of Edward. He had not been a particularly successful king, but his personal character and piety endeared him to his people. In appearance he is represented as tall, dignified and kindly with rosy cheeks and a long white beard. He was regarded as a saint long before he was officially canonized as Saint and Confessor by Pope Alexander III in 1161. A Confessor is a particular type of saint. The term applies to those who suffered for their faith and demonstrated their sanctity in the face of worldly temptations, but who were not martyrs. One of the legends associated with the king happened towards the end of his life. Edward was riding by a church in Essex and an old man asked for alms. As the king had no money to give he drew a large ring off his finger and gave this to the beggar. A few years later two pilgrims were travelling in the Holy Land and became stranded. They were helped by an old man and when he knew they came from England he told them he was St John the Evangelist and asked them to return the ring to Edward telling him that in six months he would join him in heaven.

Marriage Edward married Edith, daughter of Godwin, Earl of Wessex on 23 January 1045. She was buried in 1075 near her husband's tomb. Late medieval tombs list say that she was re-buried on the left side of the new Shrine. Nothing marks her grave. In medieval times a lamp was burned in her memory by the High Altar. Coronation After returning from exile in France Edward was crowned at Winchester in 1042. Edith had her own coronation as consort. Burial and Shrine He died on 5 January 1066 and was buried before the High Altar in his new church. His burial procession is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry. On 13 October 1163 St Edward's body was transferred to a Shrine specially prepared for it. At this time the famous ring was taken off his finger and deposited with the Abbey relics. All the relics unfortunately disappeared at the dissolution of the monastery in 1540. They had been kept to the east of the Shrine until the Chantry for Henry V was built and then they were in a cupboard or aumbry adjoining Henry III's tomb.

Henry III (1207-1272) held Edward the Confessor in great veneration and he erected a new and costly Shrine with mosaics (Cosmati work) and workmen from Italy, led by Pietro di Oderisio. This was finished in 1269 and on 13 October Henry and his brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall and his two sons bore the coffin on their shoulders in a solemn procession. Sick persons made pilgrimages to the Shrine and knelt in the recesses to pray for healing. Round the verge was an inscription formed by blue glass set in gold mosaic. Traces of letters under the plaster can still be seen. A cult of St Edward had grown up and people regarded him as the patron saint of England. The inscription around the ledge of the Shrine was in Latin and this can be translated "In the thousandth year of the Lord, with the seventieth and twice hundredth with the tenth more or less complete this work was made which Peter the Roman citizen brought to completion. O man, if you wish to know the cause, the king was Henry, the friend of the present saint".

However, after Henry III's death the cult declined and St George eventually became recognised as patron saint of England. The Benedictine monastery at Westminster was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540 and the Shrine despoiled. The Saint's body was buried in some obscure spot in the Abbey. Mary I, who brought back the Benedictine monks to Westminster for a short period, moved the coffin back to its place in the Shrine and gave new jewels to replace the stolen ones. The structure had been hastily re-assembled within the space of a month and was in place by 19 April 1557 (as recorded in Henry Machyn's diary). Abbot Feckenham added the cornice to the stone base and the wooden canopy above. The present 16th century painted inscription can be translated "Edward, hero and saint, pre-eminent in all the praises of his virtues. Dying in 1065, he ascends above the heavens. Lift up your hearts – John Feckenham, Abbot". The Confessor's wooden coffin still lies in a cavity in the top part of the Purbeck marble structure. The Shrine later lost Mary's new jewels and images.

The tiered wooden canopy on top was restored in 1959-60. The Shrine is regarded as the centre of the Abbey and five kings and four queens lie buried in his Chapel. Chapel Screen On the western side of the Chapel is a stone screen dating from the mid 15th century. This now hides the Chapel from general view behind the High Altar.

This depicts fourteen scenes of events, real and legendary, in the life of the Confessor - oath of fealty to Queen Emma by nobles in the name of her unborn son, Edward's birth, his coronation, the devil dancing on the Danegeld, a thief trying to steal treasure from the king's bedchamber, Christ appearing to Edward at Mass, vision of the shipwreck of the King of Denmark, Edward at table with Earl Godwin and his sons when he prophesied the future feud between the sons, vision of the Seven Sleepers, St John the Evangelist disguised as a pilgrim asking alms of the king and receiving a ring, blind men cured by washing in the king's water, St John giving ring to pilgrims in the Holy Land to return to Edward and foretelling the king's death, pilgrims giving the ring to Edward and the dedication of a church (assumed to be the Abbey). Altar The original altar was at the west end of the Shrine as this area lacks the original Cosmati work paving beneath.

It has been conjectured that the altar here was the Cosmati work tomb of Princess Katherine and other children of Henry III which is now set in a recess in the south ambulatory. The present altar against the west end was erected at the time of the coronation in 1902 and was designed by J.T.Micklethwaite. The silver candlesticks, of 17th century Italian work, were the gift of the Duke (later King George VI) and Duchess of York to commemorate their marriage at the Abbey in 1923. The tall silver standard candlesticks were given in 1924 by the Order of Crusaders. The crucifix, designed by K.Redfern, was the gift of the Misses Bull in 1979. A hanging lamp to the east of the Shrine was presented in 1971 by the Revd. Ivan Young. Golden Cross Soon after the coronation of James II in 1685 when scaffolding was removed [the chapel is used during a part of this ceremony] a hole was seen in the tomb.

One of the choirmen, Charles Taylour, obtained a ladder and put his hand into the coffin and extracted from beneath the bones a richly enamelled crucifix and gold chain, 24 inches long. He had moved the skull to the hole and saw that the jaws were whole and full of teeth with a band or coronet of gold round the temples. Also in the coffin was white linen and gold coloured flowered silk. He showed the crucifix to the Dean and they presented it to the King. James had the coffin enclosed in a new one strongly clamped with iron and it has remained undisturbed since that time. A special service is held every year on St Edward's Day (13 October) together with a Pilgrimage to the Shrine. The Chapel can be visited by those on a Verger Guided Tour but is closed to the general public due to the fragility of the floor. Photographs of the Shrine, his coffin, scenes from the carved chapel screen and the illumination of the king from the Abbey's Litlyngton Missal can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Further reading Edward | king of England [1002?-1066] | Britannica.com king of England [1002?-1066] Alternative Title: Saint Edward the Confessor Edward Edmund II Edward, byname Saint Edward the Confessor (born 1002/05, Islip, Eng.—died Jan. 5, 1066, London; canonized 1161; feast day originally January 5, now October 13), king of England from 1042 to 1066. Although he is often portrayed as a listless, ineffectual monarch overshadowed by powerful nobles, Edward preserved much of the dignity of the crown and managed to keep the kingdom united during his reign of 24 years. His close ties to Normandy prepared the way for the conquest of England by the Normans under William, duke of Normandy (later King William I ), in 1066.

Edward the Confessor and Duke William of Normandy, from the Bayeux Tapestry, embroidery, 11th … Photos.com/Jupiterimages Edward was the son of King Ethelred II (reigned 978–1016) and Emma, daughter of Richard II , duke of Normandy. When the Danes invaded England in 1013, the family escaped to Normandy; the following year Edward returned to England with the ambassadors who negotiated the pact that returned his father to power. After Ethelred’s death in 1016 the Danes again took control of England. Edward lived in exile in Normandy until 1041, when he returned to the London court of his half brother (Emma was their mother), King Hardecanute . Edward succeeded to the throne in 1042 and quickly seized the property of his mother, who had plotted against his accession. Nevertheless, for the first 11 years of his reign the real master of England was Godwine , earl of Wessex, though Edward preserved his right as king to appoint bishops.

Edward married Godwine’s daughter Edith in 1045, but by 1049 a breach had occurred between the two men. In 1051 Edward outlawed the Godwine family and dismissed Edith. During this period Edward rapidly lost popularity by giving foreigners—particularly Normans—high positions in his government. Hence, in 1052 Godwine and his sons were able to gather large forces against the king. They compelled Edward to restore their lands and recall Edith as his wife, and they exiled many of his foreign favourites. Upon Godwine’s death in 1053, his son Harold became the most powerful figure in the kingdom. It was Harold rather than Edward who subjugated Wales in 1063 and negotiated with the rebellious Northumbrians in 1065. Consequently, Edward on his deathbed named Harold as his successor, even though he allegedly had already promised the crown to William, duke of Normandy. (Edward had exploited his lack of an heir as a diplomatic tool by promising the succession to various parties.) Indeed, according to Norman accounts, Edward sent Harold to Normandy in 1064 to confirm his promise to William.

While en route, Harold was captured by one of William’s vassals and may have been ransomed by the duke, who then took Harold on a military campaign in Brittany. Harold swore an oath to William that he would defend William’s claim to the English throne. The violation of the alleged oath was one of the justifications used in support of the Norman invasion of England. Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings in Sussex in October 1066, and two months later William ascended the throne. Britannica Stories

Question: Edward the Confessor became King of England in which century?
Answer: 11th