Edward the Confessor, also known as Saint Edward the Confessor, reigned as king of England from 1042 to 1066 CE. Edward was reliant on the powerful Godwine (aka Godwin) family to keep his kingdom together but his achievements included a relatively peaceful reign in a turbulent century for England and the foundation of Westminster Abbey. With no children, Edward's successor was Harold Godwinson, aka Harold II (r. Jan-Oct 1066 CE) who would have to defend his right to the throne against several rivals, most dangerous of whom was Edward's distant cousin William the Conqueror (l. c. 1027-1087 CE). Seen by many later rulers as the spiritual founder of the English and now British monarchy, Edward was made a saint in the 12th century CE, and his crown (or surviving parts of it) is still used in the British coronation ceremony.
More about: Edward the ConfessorDefinition
Timeline
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c. 1003Birth of Edward the Confessor at Islip, Oxfordshire.
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1042 - 1066Reign of Edward the Confessor, king of England.
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3 Apr 1043Coronation of Edward the Confessor at Winchester Cathedral.
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23 Jan 1045Edward the Confessor marries Edith Godwin.
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1051Edward the Confessor exiles the powerful Godwines for disloyalty.
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1051William, Duke of Normandy, visits Edward the Confessor who, according to Norman sources, promises William the crown of England.
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1052Edward the Confessor returns the lands and titles to the powerful Godwines.
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Apr 1053Harold Godwinson becomes the Earl of Wessex.
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12 Apr 1053Earl Godwin, Earl of Wessex, dies.
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1054An English army invades Scotland.
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27 Jul 1054An English army defeats Macbeth, king of Scotland at Dunsinane.
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1063 - 1064Harold Godwinson, with help from his brother Tostig, launches a successful military campaign by land and sea against the king of Wales, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.
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Mar 1064Possible visit to Normandy by Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex. Norman writers would claim he was captured and held by William the Conqueror until he promised to be the Norman's vassal in England.
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1065A revolt in Northumbria against Tostig, the Earl of Northumbria, is put down by Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex.
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Dec 1065Consecration of Westminster Abbey, built by Edward the Confessor.
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5 Jan 1066Death of Edward the Confessor at Westminster.
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6 Jan 1066Harold Godwinson is crowned Harold II, king of England, probably in Westminster Abbey.
