Daily Almanac for
Nov 29, 2009
Search White Pages
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
Encyclopedia

Edward the Martyr

Edward the Martyr, c.962–978, king of the English (975–78), son of Edgar by his first wife. Despite the opposition of some of the nobles, Edward succeeded his father to the throne and was crowned. However, he could not control the kingdom and was murdered at Corfe by retainers in the service of his stepmother, Queen Ælfthryth or Ælfrida, and of her son Æthelred. There is no proof that Ælfthryth or Æthelred planned his death, as later tradition said. Edward's body was moved to Shaftesbury, where miracles were reported, and he was regarded as a saint and martyr by the people. Feast: Mar. 18.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

More on Edward the Martyr from Infoplease:

See more Encyclopedia articles on: British and Irish History: Biographies


Premium Partner Content
HighBeam Research

Related content from HighBeam Research on: Edward the Martyr

Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.