Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor was born between 1003 and 1005 in Islip, Oxfordshire. He spent a quarter of a century away from England during his childhood exile. Viking raids under Sweyn Forkbeard forced his mother Emma to flee to Normandy with Edward and his brother Alfred. The family returned briefly when Sweyn died in February 1014. Cnut became king after Edmund Ironside died in November 1016. Edward went back into exile that same year. His mother married Cnut in 1017 while his elder half-brother Eadwig was executed. Edward lived mainly in Normandy until the early 1030s. He witnessed four charters there as king of England. Robert I, Duke of Normandy tried to invade England around 1034 but failed. Edward received support from continental abbots including Robert of Jumièges who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. Harthacnut invited Edward back to England in 1041. They met at Hursteshever near modern-day Hurst Spit opposite the Isle of Wight. Edward swore an oath to continue Cnut's laws before becoming king. Harthacnut died on the 8th of June 1042 leaving Edward as successor.
Edward married Godwin's daughter Edith on the 23rd of January 1045. Godwin controlled southern England through his sons Harold and Beorn Estrithson. Sweyn Godwinson was banished in 1047 for abducting the abbess of Leominster. The crisis erupted in September 1051 when Eustace II of Boulogne caused a fight in Dover. Edward ordered Godwin to punish the town burgesses but Godwin refused. Archbishop Robert accused Godwin of plotting to kill Alfred in 1036. Leofric and Siward supported the king while Godwin and Sweyn sent hostages to Normandy. Godwin fled to Flanders and Ireland after Stigand conveyed the king's jest about restoring Alfred alive. A year later Godwin returned with an army. Both sides feared civil war would invite foreign invasion. Edward restored Godwin and Harold to their earldoms in autumn 1051. Robert of Jumièges and other Frenchmen fled fearing vengeance. Edith was restored as queen while Stigand became Archbishop of Canterbury. Godwin died in 1053 leaving Harold to inherit Wessex.
Edward pursued aggressive policies against Scotland and Wales during the mid-1050s. Malcolm Canmore lived at Edward's court after Duncan I was killed in 1040. Siward invaded Scotland in 1054 defeating Macbeth. Malcolm gained control of southern Scotland by 1058 before killing Macbeth himself. In 1053 Edward ordered the assassination of Rhys ap Rhydderch for raiding England. His head was delivered directly to the king. Gruffydd ap Llywelyn established himself as ruler of Wales in 1055. He allied with outlawed Earl Alfgar of Mercia. They defeated Ralph at Hereford forcing Harold to collect forces from nearly all England. Peace came when Alfgar was reinstated as Earl of Mercia following his father's death in 1057. Harold launched a surprise attack on Gruffydd who escaped but was later killed by Welsh enemies. Edward imposed vassalage on some Welsh princes. Magnus I of Norway claimed the English throne prompting Edward to command the fleet at Sandwich in 1045 and 1046. Sweyn II of Denmark submitted to Edward hoping for help against Magnus.
William the Conqueror's great-grandfather Richard I was Edward's grandfather through Emma. William may have visited during Godwin's exile making them first cousins once removed. Historians debate whether Edward promised him the succession seriously. Edmund Ironside's son Edward the Exile had the best claim to be heir. Bishop Ealdred secured his return from Hungary in 1054. The exile died almost immediately upon returning to England in 1057. His six-year-old son Edgar became designated as ætheling meaning throne-worthy. Edgar appeared briefly declared king after Harold's death in 1066 but was never crowned. He was absent from witness lists of Edward's diplomas. Norman apologist William of Poitiers claimed Edward sent Harold to Normandy around 1064 to confirm the promise. Harold admitted this promise existed but argued it was overridden by a deathbed commitment to Harold. Stephen Baxter described Edward's handling of succession as dangerously indecisive. Harold was crowned on the 6th of January 1066 while Edward lay buried at Westminster Abbey.
Edward began building Westminster Abbey between 1042 and 1052 as a royal burial church. It was consecrated on the 28th of December 1065 though completed only about 1090. The structure was very similar to Jumièges Abbey built simultaneously. Robert of Jumièges must have been closely involved in both buildings. Edward showed no interest in books or associated arts yet his abbey played vital roles in developing English Romanesque architecture. He demonstrated innovative generosity toward the church through this project. The original building stood until 1245 when Henry III demolished it for his new construction. Edward did not attend the consecration ceremony due to illness caused by strokes following Tostig's banishment in October 1065. His funeral took place within the unfinished church where he remains buried today.
Osbert of Clare started campaigning for Edward's canonisation around 1138. He converted the Vita Aedwardi Regis into a conventional saint's life claiming their marriage was chaste. Pope Innocent II postponed decisions in 1139 citing insufficient testimonials. Henry II supported Pope Alexander III's election in 1159 allowing renewed claims. Laurence became abbot of Westminster in 1160 seizing the opportunity to renew Edward's claim. The pope issued the bull of canonisation on the 7th of February 1161. This resulted from combined interests of Westminster Abbey King Henry II and Pope Alexander III. Edward received the title Confessor meaning someone living a saintly life without martyrdom. Henry III constructed a grand tomb for Edward in 1269 after rebuilding Westminster Abbey. The shrine remained east of the sanctuary following translation on the 13th of October 1269. Edward's feast day is celebrated annually on the 13th of October by both Church of England and Catholic Church.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Edward the Confessor born and where did he spend his childhood exile?
Edward the Confessor was born between 1003 and 1005 in Islip, Oxfordshire. He spent a quarter of a century away from England during his childhood exile while Viking raids under Sweyn Forkbeard forced his mother Emma to flee to Normandy with him.
How did Harthacnut die and when did Edward the Confessor become king of England?
Harthacnut died on the 8th of June 1042 leaving Edward as successor. Edward received support from continental abbots including Robert of Jumièges who later became Archbishop of Canterbury before becoming king after meeting at Hursteshever near modern-day Hurst Spit opposite the Isle of Wight.
What happened during the crisis involving Godwin and Eustace II of Boulogne in 1051?
The crisis erupted in September 1051 when Eustace II of Boulogne caused a fight in Dover. Edward ordered Godwin to punish the town burgesses but Godwin refused leading to a standoff that ended when both sides feared civil war would invite foreign invasion.
When was Westminster Abbey consecrated and why did Edward the Confessor not attend the ceremony?
Westminster Abbey was consecrated on the 28th of December 1065 though completed only about 1090. Edward did not attend the consecration ceremony due to illness caused by strokes following Tostig's banishment in October 1065.
On what date was Edward the Confessor officially canonised and what title did he receive?
The pope issued the bull of canonisation on the 7th of February 1161 resulting from combined interests of Westminster Abbey King Henry II and Pope Alexander III. Edward received the title Confessor meaning someone living a saintly life without martyrdom.