St. Edward The Confessor 11th Century

Feastday 13th October

Born 1003

Died 1066

Son of King Ethelred II, unseated by Danish invasion. Edward and his brother were sent to Denmark to be quietly killed, but the officer in charge took pity on the boys, and sent them to Sweden, and from there they went to the King of Hungary to be raised and educated. When grown, the brothers moved to Normandy and waited their chance to return to England. Edward gained a reputation as just and worthy of the kingship, and the people of England gave him their support. Edward ascended to the throne of his father on 3 April, Easter, 1042. During his reign Edward repulsed invasion, helped restore the King of Scotland to his throne, remitted unjust taxes. and was noted for his generosity to the poor and strangers, and for his piety and love of God. He married to satisfy his people, but he and the queen remained celibate. Reported to have the power to heal by touch. Built churches, including Westminster Abbey.¹

1. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte03.htm

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“The extreme corruption and wickedness of the English nation has provoked the just anger of God. When malice shall have reached the fullness of its measure, God will in His wrath send to the English people wicked spirits who will punish and afflict them with great severity, by separating the green tree from its parent stem the length of three furlongs. But at last this same tree through the compassionate mercy of God, and without any national assistance, shall return to its original root, reflourish and bear abundant fruit…” ¹

References

1. Rev R. Gerald. Culleton The Prophets and Our Times (Tan Books and Publishers 1941) p 137