King Edward the Confessor
Known as "the Confessor" for his extreme piety, the third Anglo-Saxon king by the name of Edward was a somewhat ineffectual monarch. He had grown up in France and had many ties to Normans; when he succeeded his half-brother Harthacanute as king of England, he installed many Norman nobles in positions of power. This alienated the Anglo-Saxon lords.
Edward married Edith, the daughter of the powerful Anglo-Saxon Earl Godwin (or Godwine) of Wessex, but the union resulted in no children, possibly because Edward was determined to remain celibate. His reign was fairly peaceful, but it also saw ongoing struggles with the Godwins, including a conflict over who would control the Archbishopric of Canterbury, as well as disruptions in Wales and northern England.
According to Norman sources, in 1051 Edward promised William of Normandy the crown, but on his deathbed he apparently named Godwin's son Harold his heir. Harold took the throne but would lose his life at the Battle of Hastings against William's successful invasion force.
Edward spent much of his later years focused on the construction of a new church at the site of an old Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey. He was too sick to attend its consecration, and died barely a week later. He was canonized in 1161 and is the patron saint of difficult marriages, separated spouses, and kings.
Note: although Edward the Confessor is the third Anglo-Saxon king Edward, he is not to be confused with the Norman King Edward III, who reigned in the 14th century.
Important Dates
Crowned: April 3, 1043
Westminster Abbey Consecrated: Dec. 28, 1065
Died: Jan. 5, 1066
Dynastic Table
Medieval & Renaissance Monarchs of England
Use this table to see the progression of Kings and Queens from Egbert of Wessex in the ninth century to Elizabeth I in the sixteenth. Hyperlinks lead to entries in Who's Who.
From Your Guide
Conquest
This four-part examination of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest, the invasion itself, and its aftermath includes background on the various claimants to the throne.The Quest for Conquest
25 questions about the Norman Conquest. Miss one and you have to start over -- but finish the quiz and get your name posted in our list of Conquerors.
On the Web
Edward the Confessor on the Web
In Print
Edward the Confessor in Print
Related Resources
Hagiography
Indices, primary sources, and general sites focusing on the study of Saints' lives.Norman Conquest
An index of sites offering background on events leading to the invasion, the invasion itself, its aftermath, and the people involved.Dark-Age Britain
A directory of sites that examine Britain during late antiquity, or the "dark ages," from Sub-Roman cultures to the end of Anglo-Saxon England.Medieval France
General history, people, places, maps and more about France in the Middle Ages.
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