Edward the Martyr

Who they were

Edward was King of England, son of Edgar the Peaceful. His stepmother Queen Elfrida wanted the crown for her own son Ethelred, but Edward was supported by St. Dunstan, the clergy and most of the nobles, and St. Dunstan crowned him when he was thirteen. In a reign of three and a half years he won his people's affection by his virtues.

On 18 March 979, while out hunting, he called at Corfe Castle, where his stepmother lived, and was stabbed at the gate as he drank from a cup. His body was later moved to Shaftesbury Abbey, and many miracles were said to have been obtained through his intercession. The old English calendars and the Roman Martyrology give him the title of Martyr on 18 March.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

A young English king murdered at Corfe Castle and honoured as a martyr.

Connected on this site

• Edgar of England Saint Father, Parent
  “After his death the throne was disputed between the supporters of his two surviving sons; the elder one, Edward the Martyr, was chosen with the support of Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury.” — Wikipedia
• Edith of Wilton Saint Brother or sister
  “In 978, after the murder of her half-brother, Edward the Martyr, she may have been offered the English throne, which she also refused.” — Wikipedia
• Edward the Confessor Saint
  “The epithet "Confessor" reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom as opposed to his uncle, King Edward the Martyr.” — Wikipedia
• Æthelwold of Winchester Saint
  “He was an important political figure, backing Æthelred the Unready against Edward the Martyr, and playing a major advisory role during Æthelred's minority.” — Wikipedia