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Historians still argue about whether or not Edward was a good king. He was certainly a popular choice for king having been elected by the witan, or royal council, and had the backing of the people.

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The last but one of the Anglo-Saxon kings of England, Edward was known for his religious faith (he is known as 'the Confessor' because of his life was characterised by piety and religious belief).

Although England was quiet and relatively prosperous during his reign, his failure to leave an heir led to the Norman invasion of England in 1066.

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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.

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Edward loved to hunt and went hunting every day after church.

He commissioned the building of Westminster Abbey and was later buried there.

Edward is the patron saint of difficult marriages.

He was known for his visions and for flying into violent rages.

When he fell out with her father, Edward sent his wife Edith to live in a convent.

Edward is the only King of England to have been canonised (made a saint by the Catholic Church). A "Confessor" is a type of saint.

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1. In 1013 the Danes invaded England and Edward and his family escaped to Normandy. His mother, Emma, was a Norman and daughter of the Duke of Normandy.

2. Edward spent almost twenty-five years in Normandy and when he became King many of his closest advisors were Normans.

3. Edward was married to Earl Godwin’s daughter Edith but did not wish to have children with her.

4. Edward was known for his religious faith and people believed that he could cure the sick simply by touching them. This form of healing is called the king’s touch. After his death the Catholic Church made Edward a saint.

5. The English throne was not hereditary and the power to appoint new kings lay with the witan, a group of royal advisors. Edward had no right to promise the throne to anyone.

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1003

Edward born to King Ethelred the Unready and Queen Emma

1013

Sweyn Forkbeard seizes the throne; Edward goes to live in Normandy to escape Danish invasion

1014

Ethelred reinstated as English King

1016

Death of Ethelred the Unready; Edmund Ironside becomes King; Canute becomes King

1017

Queen Emma marries King Canute

1027

Birth of William, natural son of the Duke of Normandy

1035

Death of King Canute

1037

Harold becomes King

1040

Death of Harold, Harthacanute becomes King

1041

Edward returns to England

1042

Death of Harthacanute; Edward becomes King of England

1045

Edward marries Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin

1051

Edward banishes Earl Godwin after the Dover incident

1052

Earl Godwin returns to England

1053

Death of Earl Godwin; his son Harold Godwinson becomes Earl

1064-1065

Harold Godwinson visits Normandy and recognises William’s claim to throne

1066

Death of Edward; Harold Godwinson becomes King

October
Battle of Hastings; Death of Harold Godwinson

December
William the Conqueror becomes King

1161

Edward declared a saint by Pope Alexander III

1348

St George replaces Edward as patron saint of England

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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.