St. Edward The Confessor

Edward was born in 1003, the child of Ethelred II and Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy. At age ten he was sent to the court of his uncle in Normandy, because Canute of Denmark was holding the English throne. Edward set his heart of serving God rather than worldly ambition. Canute’s son Hardicanute, succeeded his father on the English throne, but when Hardicanute died in 1042, the public called for Edward to take the throne. His reign was mostly peaceful. His great concern was for the good of the people and he imposed no taxes. Yielding to advice from his nobles, he married the pious Editha, but they dedicated themselves to prayer and celibacy. He rebuilt Westminster of St. Peter’s Abbey church (Westminster Abbey), which was dedicated a week before he died on January 5, 1066. St. Edward was canonized in 1161 and his feast is on October 13.