King Edward The Confessor

King Edward The Confessor (1042 - 1066)

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Name: King Edward The Confessor
Born: c.1004 at Islip
Parents: Ethelred II and Emma of Normandy
Relation to Elizabeth II: 27th great-granduncle
House of: Wessex
Ascended to the throne: June 8, 1042
Crowned: April 3, 1043 at Winchester Cathedral, aged c.39
Married: Edith, Daughter of Earl Godwine of Wessex
Children: None
Died: January 5, 1066 at Westminster
Buried at: Westminster Abbey
Reigned for: 23 years, 6 months, and 28 days
Succeeded by: his brother-in-law Harold

King of England from 1042, the son of Ethelred II. He lived in Normandy until shortly before his accession. During his reign power was held by Earl Godwine and his son Harold, while the king devoted himself to religion, including the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey (consecrated in 1065), where he is buried. His childlessness led ultimately to the Norman Conquest in 1066. He was canonized in 1161.

Timeline for King Edward The Confessor

Historical Timeline 800 - Present

1042	Harthacanute dies and is succeeded by Edward the Confessor, son of Aethelred II.
1043	Earl Leofric founds Coventry Abbey. His wife Lady Godiva according to legend rides naked through the streets of Coventry
1051	Edward marries Edith daughter of Earl Godwine of Wessex, but quarrels with Godwine and banishes the rebellious Godwine family from England. Edward promises the throne to William, Duke of Normandy.
1052	Godwine, Earl of Wessex, returns to England.
1053	Godwine’s son, Harold, becomes principal adviser to the King.
1056	Welsh led by Gruffydd burn Hereford Cathedral
1057	Edward, son of Edmund Ironside and potential heir to the throne, returns to England but dies mysteriously
1063	Harold Godwinson (later Harold II) and his brother Tostig of Northumberland attack Wales. Griffith ap Llewelyn is killed by his own troops.
1064	Harold visits William of Normandy and swears on oath to support his claim to the throne
1065	Northumbria rebels against Tostig who is exiled. Harold fails to support his brother and they become bitter enemies.
1066	Edward dies and Harold Godwinson is chosen as successor, but William of Normandy declares the throne was promised to him.

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