St. Edward King of England (1003-1066) Image: Aidan Hart
(CNA) Son of Ethelred II and Emma, daughter of Duke Richard of Normandy according to EWTN when hardly 10 yrs old, Edward was sent with his brother Alfred into Normandy to be brought up by the Court of the Duke, when the Danes seized control of England–this early experience of loss and his earnest religious convictions, caused him to renounce worldly ambition and devote himself to the love of God.
Upon the death of the Danish King Canute, Edward was called to the throne of England which he accepted dutifully and held the rest of his life.
King Edward’s Saintly bearing made him a popular sovereign and his actions even more so, he abolished an unjust tax and was known to cure people with his touch. — Having made a vow of chastity, he accepted marriage to the virtuous Editha according to New Advent.org for the sake of his kingdom but lived with her in celibacy by agreement as a sister.
Unable to fulfill a vow to embark on a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s tomb without leaving England’s subjects vulnerable to attack, his vow was commuted by the Pope into the rebuilding at Westminster of St. Peter’s Abbey, the dedication of which took place but a week before his death.
King Edward was Canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III
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