One of the final Anglo-Saxon monarchs of England was Edward the Confessor, also known as Saint Edward the Confessor. From 1042 to 1066, he was in power. Despite the fact that many people saw him as an ineffective ruler who was overshadowed by the nobles, he is renowned for maintaining the dignity of the crown and the unity of the kingdom during his rule. He was Thelred the Unready’s sixth child overall and the first with his second marriage. After his half-brother Harthacnut, the king of England at the time, passed away, he took the throne. The influential English earl Godwin helped him in his kingdom aspirations. His moniker conveys the stereotypical picture of him as pious and unworldly. His name also alludes to his status as a saint who, unlike King Edward the Martyr, did not endure martyrdom. In the years following his passing, his reputation for piety increased. He married but never had children, and his commitment to living a celibate lifestyle was the reason why. In addition, he had a reputation for making prophesies and working miracles. He became a popular saint of English kings like Henry III and Richard II during the Middle Ages.
Early Childhood & Life
Sometime between 1003 and 1005 saw the birth of Edward. He was Thelred the Unready’s seventh child and Emma of Normandy, his second wife. Alfred, a brother, and Godgifu, a sister, were both his full siblings. He consistently appeared after his half-brothers in charters, indicating that he was placed lower than them.
England was the target of the Vikings led by Sweyn Forkbeard and his son Cnut when he was a kid. In the end, Sweyn took control of the throne in 1013. Edward and his mother then escaped to Normandy. His father soon followed and joined them.
A year later, in 1014, Sweyn passed away, and Thelred retook the throne. Thelred died in 1016, and Edmund, Edward’s half-brother, succeeded him as ruler.
Edward is thought to have fought alongside Edmund in the battle against Sweyn’s son Cnut. Edmund continued the conflict. Edmund, however, passed away in the same month of 1016, in November. Then Edward and his siblings fled into exile. In 1017, his mother wed Cnut.
Cnut executed Eadwig, Edward’s sole surviving elder half-brother. As a result, Edward became the most prominent Anglo-Saxon heir apparent. Nearly 25 years were spent by Edward in exile. Although there isn’t much proof, it’s supposed that he was in Normandy during this period. According to legend, his sister Godgifu, who had wed Drogo of Mantes, the count of Vexin, provided him with support.
After Cnut’s death in 1035, his son Harthacnut, whom he had with Emma, succeeded him as ruler of Denmark. It was unclear whether Harthacnut also wanted to keep England because he was too busy defending his position in Denmark.
Later, it was decided that Harthacnut’s elder half-brother Harold Harefoot would serve as regent and Emma would hold Wessex on his behalf. Emma requested Edward for assistance in thwarting Harold’s aspirations to succeed as king.
Although Edward is alleged to have engaged in combat close to Southampton, he ultimately had to flee to Normandy. Finally recognized as king in 1037, Harold exiled Emma the following year. Although Edward was urged to assist Harthacnut, he lacked the means to do so. He also didn’t seem to care about the throne. After Harold’s final death in 1040, Harthacnut successfully ascended to the English throne.
Ascension and Rule
When Harthacnut died in June 1042, Godwin, the most powerful English lord, supported Edward in his attempt to succeed in the crown. On April 3, 1043, Edward was installed as the new king at the cathedral of Winchester, the West Saxons’ royal residence, in London. He stole his mother’s assets soon after his accession, which is thought to have been a plot against him.
Since Godwin, the Earl of Wessex, ruled England for the majority of the first eleven years of his reign, it is thought that his administration was ineffective. Bishops could be chosen and appointed by Edward. In 1045, he wed Edith, Godwin’s daughter.
After a few years, Godwin and Edward had a serious argument. Godwin was charged with planning an assassination on Edward by Archbishop Robert. Finally, outraged, Edward declared the Godwin family to be illegal and exiled Edith to a nunnery. Additionally, the Archbishop advised Edward to divorce her.
Because of additional issues with his nobles brought on by Edward’s partiality to the Normans, Godwin, and his sons were permitted to return in 1052. Edward was compelled to make peace with them because they weren’t ready for a civil war.
Godwin had to receive his lands back, and Edward’s Norman army was banished. After Godwin’s death in 1053, his son Harold adopted his throne and took the name Harold of Wessex. He rose to become England’s most powerful nobleman.
Godwin had to receive his lands back, and Edward’s Norman army was banished. After Godwin’s death in 1053, his son Harold adopted his throne and took the name Harold of Wessex. He rose to become England’s most powerful nobleman.
Marriage On January 23, 1045, Edward wed Edith, the daughter of Godwin. There were no kids from the union. According to popular belief, Edith was unable to become pregnant because Edward was committed to leading a celibate life.
Death & Repercussions
The death of Edward the Confessor occurred on January 5, 1066. The following day, he was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey, and Harold was subsequently crowned the new king. Although he had earlier given the throne to William, duke of Normandy, Edward had chosen Harold as his heir just before his passing.
Norman accounts claim that Edward despatched Harold to Normandy in 1064 to fulfill his vow to William. However, William ransomed Harold after he had been taken prisoner by one of his vassals and then sent Harold on a military campaign.
Harold had vowed to support William’s royal aspirations at the moment. One of the arguments for the Norman invasion of England was the breaking of this oath. William eventually took the kingdom after Harold was eventually assassinated at the Battle of Hastings in Sussex.
Estimated net worth
The estimated net worth of Edward the Confessor is about $1 million.
Trivia
Although Edward the Confessor had no interest in literature or related arts, he did contribute significantly to the development of English Romanesque architecture, demonstrating his creativity and generosity as a patron of the church.