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Edward the Confessor

Type Figure Region England Time c. 1003–1066 Also known as Confessor Edward

Last Anglo-Saxon king of England (r. 1042–1066), who grew up in exile in Normandy and returned to take the throne;…

Timeline

  1. 1016–1041Normandy · NormandyAfter King Cnut's conquest of England, Edward and his brother grew up at the Norman court, maintaining close ties with the ducal family, which laid the foundation for his later pro-Norman policies.
  2. 1042–1050Winchester · HampshireAfter the death of Harold Godwinson's father, Edward returned to England and took the throne, relying on nobles such as Godwin to consolidate his rule, and began rebuilding Westminster Abbey.
  3. 1051–1052London · LondonIn 1051, Edward used a conflict between the Count of Boulogne and his Norman kin to order the exile of Godwin and his sons; in 1052 Godwin returned with a fleet, supported by Londoners and some nobles, and Edward was forced to compromise and restore the family's position.
  4. 1053–1066Westminster · LondonAfter Godwin's death Edward continued to rely on his son Harold Godwinson for government and military affairs, while maintaining contacts with Duke William of Normandy; in the late 1050s Westminster Abbey neared completion, and with Edward childless, the succession became a political focus.

Sources