Edward the Confessor, King of England

Edward, the son of Aethelred the Unready and Eligiva of Normandy, was born at Islip in Oxfordshire in about 1004.
He married Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin of Wessex, January 23 1045.

Edward the Confessor

Edward succeed Hardicanute to the English throne in January 1042. He was crowned in Winchester Cathedral on Easter Sunday 1043. He was devoted to a life of religion, and founded Westminster Abbey. He lived to see the building consecrated on December 28th, 1065, but he died a few days afterwards and was buried in the abbey.

Left: death of Edward the Confessor (Bayeux Tapestry)
Right: tomb of Edward the confessor, Westminster Abbey

When Queen Eadgyth died in 1075, she was placed by his side. Edward was canonized in 1161.

Edward the Confessor was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson.

When Westminster Abbey was rebuilt by Henry III, Edward's body was transferred to rest in the shrine which now stands in the abbey.