Often in the study of history a reputation must be stripped away to reveal the real historical figure (or as much as the evidence allows). This applies to the story of Edward the Confessor more than most. Far from being the saintly old man seen in the Bayeux tapestry, Edward was a typical 11th century king who took the throne after a long period of civil war and foreign rule.

The later Saxon kings of England (Image by Author)

Family and Early Life

Edward the Confessor (1003×5-1066) was the seventh son of Æthelred II, but the first by Æthelred’s second wife, Emma of Normandy. He had a younger brother, Alfred, and a sister, Godgifu. Edward was born during a turbulent period of English history in Islip, near Oxford, sometime between 1003 and 1005.

Very little is known of his early years, but in 1013, when Swein Forkbeard and his son, Cnut, invaded England, Edward and his family fled to Normandy. When Swein died in 1014, Edward returned to England with a group of ambassadors to negotiate the return of Æthelred to the throne.

The return of Cnut in September 1015 threw the country into another year of war. During this time, Edward fought at the side of his half-brother, Edmund. Æthelred died in April 1016 and was succeeded by Edmund, but when Edmund died in November of that year, leaving Cnut as king of the entire kingdom, Edward was forced into a second period of exile in Normandy.

Exile in Normandy

This second exile lasted for 25 years. During this time, although Edward was welcome at the court of the Norman Dukes, he probably travelled around his numerous relatives in north-west France. His mother, Emma, did not stay long in exile. In 1017 she returned to England and married Cnut, thereby securing his position as king and providing an heir, Harthacnut. Emma’s marriage was seen by Edward as an abandonment of his interests and caused much resentment.

Harold I was made regent on Cnut’s death in 1035, leading both Edward and his brother to make separate attempts at invasions of England. Edward won a battle near Southampton in 1036 but was driven off and returned to Normandy. Alfred wasn’t so lucky. Captured near Guildford by Earl Godwine, he died after Harold ordered his blinding.

The failure of the invasions left no obstacle to Harold becoming king in 1037. But his reign was a short one and Harthacnut was invited to take the crown on Harold’s death in 1040. Edward was invited to England by Harthacnut in 1041 and seems to have had a good relationship with his half-brother. He was appointed joint king and, on Harthacnut’s death on 8 June 1042, became sole king of England at last.

Edward as King

Edward the Confessor (Image via Wikipedia)

Edward was crowned by the archbishops of Canterbury and York at a ceremony at Winchester on 3 April 1043 (Easter day). After his long exile, he had returned as a stranger to the land of his birth. Of the three leading earls, Godwine of Wessex, Leofric of Mercia and Siward of Northumbria, only Godwine had served Edward’s father, Æthelred II.

Edward needed to establish his authority with the earls, or at least agree on a working relationship. He appears to have done this successfully at an early stage, and the king and earls showed their unity by riding together on 16 November 1043 to punish Emma for her earlier abandonment. Emma’s property was seized but she returned to favour soon after.

But, whatever accommodation Edward came to with the earls, Godwine still held the real power in England. His daughter, Edith, was therefore a suitable match for Edward as queen and they married on 23 January 1045. Following the marriage, Edith’s brothers and other family members acquired earldoms and land, thus increasing the family’s power.

Although his position was still weak, Edward did manage to control several areas of his administration. Foreign policy and security were always the the domain of the king and his years in exile at foreign courts helped with diplomatic relationships.

Ecclesiastical appointments were also controlled by Edward, so he was able to fill vacant positions in bishoprics and abbeys with his own nominees, providing a balance to the earls’ power. These appointments included Robert of Jumièges, a Norman monk, as Bishop of London in 1044 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1051.

The Family of Earl Godwine

Earl Godwine and his sons, Swein, Harold, Tostig, Gyrth and Leofwine, held much of the land and power in England through the influence of Queen Edith. But there were also lows for the family. The eldest son, Swein, was banished in 1047 for abducting the abbess of Leominster. He was soon pardoned by Edward but immediately went to Dartmouth and murdered his cousin, Earl Beorn Estrithson, before fleeing to Bruges. Edith’s influence with the king was seen again in 1050 when Edward pardoned Swein once more.

But worse was to come for the family in the following year. In early September 1051, Edward was visited by his brother-in-law, Eustace of Boulogne. On their way through Dover, Eustace’s men clashed with the locals. Godwine, as earl of Kent, was ordered by Edward to punish the people of Dover for the incident but he refused.

Seeing an opportunity to alter the balance of power with Godwine, Edward summoned his council to meet at Gloucester on 7 September. He also summoned his army who were joined by the troops of three earls, Leofric of Mercia, Siward of Northumbria and Ralph of Hereford. Godwine, Swein and Harold assembled their forces nearby at Beverstone.

Intermediaries travelled between the two armies and it was agreed that Godwine should stand trial in London on 21 September. But, as the two opposing forces travelled to London, the balance shifted in Edward’s favour. By the time they reached the capital, Godwine’s support had crumbled and he and his sons were forced to flee. They were outlawed by Edward, and Queen Edith was sent to a nunnery at either Wilton or Wherwell.

The lands of Godwine and his sons were distributed between Edward and his supporters. The rise in favour of foreigners at this time was not appreciated by the English, so when Godwine returned on 14 September 1052 he found sympathy for his cause. Earls Leofric and Siward refused to back the king against Godwine and the foreign counsellors who had profited during his absence, including Robert of Jumièges, fled.

Godwine and Harold pleaded their innocence in front of Edward at a council arranged for the following day and were returned to favour. Edith was recalled to Edward’s side and all the family’s confiscated lands and titles were returned.

Final Years of Reign

The next few years were a time of change as the older generation were replaced by the younger. Edward’s mother, Emma, had died on 6 March 1052. Godwine’s eldest son, Swein, died at Constantinople on 29 September on his return from Jerusalem. Godwine died the following year on 15 April leaving Harold to succeed him as the next eldest son.

The other leading earls departed soon after; Siward of Northumbria in 1055 and both Leofric of Mercia and Ralph of Hereford in 1057. Siward’s heir, Waltheof, was thought too young for the responsibility of an earldom so Northumbria was given to Tostig Godwineson. Gyrth and Leofwine were given earldoms in East Anglia and south-eastern England respectively and Harold added Ralph’s Hereford to his titles.

So, by the end of the decade, most of the land in England was controlled by the Godwinesons apart from Leofric’s Mercia, which passed to his son, Ælfgar. This situation seemed to suit Edward who delegated local matters to the brothers leaving him time to pursue activities such as hunting.

The years 1052-1066 were generally peaceful despite a couple of notable rebellions in Wales (1063) and Northumbria (1065). Together, Harold and Tostig defeated Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in Wales but fell out soon after. So in 1065, when a rebellion broke out against Tostig’s harsh rule in Northumbria, Harold refused any support for his brother, leaving Edward no choice but to submit to the demands of the rebels and banish Tostig.

The forced banishment of his friend had serious consequences for Edward’s health. He died on 5 January 1066 and was buried before the high altar of the new Westminster Abbey the following day.

Westminster Abbey (Image by ChrisO via Wikimedia Commons)

The Succession

Edward’s childlessness led to a succession crisis on his death. Edward had used the succession as a diplomatic tool for many years, promising the throne to allies to keep them friendly. One such ally was William, Duke of Normandy.

On becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 1051, Robert of Jumièges travelled to Rome. On his way he negotiated an alliance between Edward and William. It may have been during these negotiations that Edward first offered to make William his heir. Norman chroniclers state that this offer was confirmed in 1064 when Harold visited Normandy and pledged his support for William, although, as the Bayeux tapestry shows, Harold only met with William after being captured by Guy I of Ponthieu, so his support may have been given under duress.

Another possible heir was invited to return from exile in 1057. Edward Ætheling was the eldest son of Edmund II and had fled from England on his father’s death in 1016. With him on his return were his family, including his five-year-old son, Edgar. Edward died in the year of his return and Edgar would have been no more than fourteen in 1066 and too young to be king.

So the only person in a strong enough position to succeed to the throne on Edward’s death was the most powerful noble in the kingdom, Harold. It is probable that Edward named Harold as his heir on his deathbed and entrusted the kingdom to him and Queen Edith. Harold wasted no time in taking the crown; his coronation took place immediately after Edward’s funeral on 6 January 1066.

Saint Edward the Confessor

After Edward’s death, despite the fact that he had been a typical 11th century king skilled in diplomacy and warfare, he gained a reputation for being pious. Edward’s childlessness led to stories of his celibacy, although this is unlikely. Miracles were attributed to him at his tomb in Westminster Abbey and a cult soon grew.

A failed attempt to have Edward recognised as a saint during Stephen’s reign was followed by a successful petition during the reign of Henry II. Edward was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 7 February 1161. When Henry III rebuilt Westminster Abbey, Edward’s remains were translated to a new tomb.

Although he has never been a popular saint, the events that followed his death in 1066 have ensured that Edward remains a well known figure in the history of England. Unfortunately, as we have seen, the image passed down of the pious old man with a white beard, who was more interested in God than war, could not be further from the truth.

Further Reading

Kings and Queens of England: Danes and Saxons (1013-1042)

Kings and Queens of England: Harold II (1066) – coming soon

Kings and Queens of England: Article Index