King of England, Catholic and an Orthodox saint. House of Wessex. The only son of King Edgar the Peaceful and his first wife Aethelflead, the date or exact year of his birth are unknown. His mother died shortly after Edward's birth, and Edgar married Aelfthryth, by whom he had two sons. Upon Edgar's death in 975, the country was divided between those who favored the young Edward and those who favored his young half-brother, Ethelred. Edward was eventually chosen and crowned by his chief supporters, Bishops Dunstan and Oswald. His reign started out very badly with a comet sighting, which was thought to be a bad omen. Famine ensued as well as an anti-monastic uprisings. Edward was murdered, possibly by followers of Ethelred, possibly by members of his own household, at Corfu Castle after a reign of only about 3 years. He was buried with no ceremony at Wareham. Three years later he was disinterred, and his body is said to have been found incorrupt. He was buried with proper ceremony at Shaftesbury Abbey. Edwards cult gained support, and many miracles occurring at his tomb were attributed to his intercession. He was elevated to sainthood in 1001. In 1931, during excavations at the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey, the remains of Edward were uncovered and identified. After a search for a church willing to properly house and glorify the saint's relics, they were donated to the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. They were enshrined with great ceremony in a mortuary chapel in Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, in 1984, which is currently known as the St Edward Brotherhood Orthodox Church (2022).
King of England, Catholic and an Orthodox saint. House of Wessex. The only son of King Edgar the Peaceful and his first wife Aethelflead, the date or exact year of his birth are unknown. His mother died shortly after Edward's birth, and Edgar married Aelfthryth, by whom he had two sons. Upon Edgar's death in 975, the country was divided between those who favored the young Edward and those who favored his young half-brother, Ethelred. Edward was eventually chosen and crowned by his chief supporters, Bishops Dunstan and Oswald. His reign started out very badly with a comet sighting, which was thought to be a bad omen. Famine ensued as well as an anti-monastic uprisings. Edward was murdered, possibly by followers of Ethelred, possibly by members of his own household, at Corfu Castle after a reign of only about 3 years. He was buried with no ceremony at Wareham. Three years later he was disinterred, and his body is said to have been found incorrupt. He was buried with proper ceremony at Shaftesbury Abbey. Edwards cult gained support, and many miracles occurring at his tomb were attributed to his intercession. He was elevated to sainthood in 1001. In 1931, during excavations at the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey, the remains of Edward were uncovered and identified. After a search for a church willing to properly house and glorify the saint's relics, they were donated to the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. They were enshrined with great ceremony in a mortuary chapel in Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, in 1984, which is currently known as the St Edward Brotherhood Orthodox Church (2022).
Bio by: Kristen Conrad
Gravesite Details
Previous burials at Wareham, Dorset; later Shaftesbury; current Brookwood, Woking.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Edward the Martyr memorials in:
Advertisement
