Edward the Confessor (1002?-1066), an Anglo-Saxon king descended from Alfred the Great, was crowned in 1042. As king, Edward lacked influence among England’s Anglo-Saxon nobles because he had lived in the Normandy region of northwestern France before becoming king. Edward’s Anglo-Saxon father-in-law, Godwine, Earl of Wessex, tried to dominate Edward’s reign. Edward resisted Godwine’s efforts by relying on Norman advisers and administrators. Godwine died in 1053.
Edward was a pious man. In the mid-1000’s, he built a church that became Westminster Abbey. In 1161, Pope Alexander III canonized him (declared him a saint) and gave him the title of Confessor. Edward’s feast day is October 13.
Edward was childless, and a dispute arose over who should succeed him. His cousin William, Duke of Normandy, claimed Edward had promised him the throne. But after Edward died on Jan. 5, 1066, the English nobles chose Harold, Godwine’s son, as king. Harold took the throne as Harold II. William then invaded England, defeated Harold, and was crowned king (see William I, the Conqueror).
See also Anglo-Saxons; Westminster Abbey.
