BIOGRAPHY: St. Edward the ConfessorKing of England, born in 1003; died 5 January, 1066. He was the son of Ethelred II and Emma, daughter of Duke Richard of Normandy. In 1042, Edward was called by acclamation to the throne. He was happily welcomed due to his gentle, saintly character. His reign was one of almost unbroken peace by his own gentleness and prudence. He undertook no wars except to repel an inroad of the Welsh, and to assist Malcolm III of Scotland against Macbeth, the usurper of his throne. Edward's one aim was the welfare of his people; he remitted the odious taxes and gave alms to the poor and the religious life. St. Edward was Canonized by Alexander III in 1161. His body remains incorrupt; it is located in the Westminster Abbey in London, England which he took head on building.Source: New Advent |