Edward the Martyr: The Murdered King
Edward the Martyr: birth 962 or 963/crowned,975 at age 13 /death 978 at age 16
House: Wessex/Father, Edgar, King of Wessex/Mother, Still in Debate
Children: None
Reign: King of the English, 975-978
Source: Edward the Martyr
Source: Historic UK
King Edward the Martyr remains a compelling subject of historical study because of the intrigue surrounding his tragic death. Born around the year 962, Edward ascended the English throne in 975 at thirteen years of age inheriting a kingdom marked by internal strife and external challenges. Familial disputes, shifting loyalty, and a deeply divided kingdom mark the story of his life.
The early life of King Edward the Martyr is characterized by the intricate web of English royal lineage. He was the first-born son of King Edgar the Peaceful and his first consort or possible wife. However, King Edgar partnered again, ultimately settling into a marriage with Queen Ælfthryth who bore him a son named Æthelred. Even though Edward was the first born of King Edgar’s sons, his legitimacy was called into question. Edgar’s death in 975 with no instructions for who should succeed him triggered a dispute over the rightful heir to the English throne. There was at that time a strong anti-monastic movement which involved members of the royal court, among them Aelfhere. Members of this movement favored Æthelred while those within the church favored King Edward. A meeting of the Witan was arranged at Calne, in Wiltshire, where the matter was debated at length. Eventually, the influence of Archbishop Dunstan and Oswald of Worchester prevailed and accordingly Edward was elected King. His coronation, took place in 975.
The Anointing of Edward the Martyr at his Coronation by St. Dunstan at Kingston-on-Thames, from ‘The Illustrated London News’
Source: Meisterdruke
Historical accounts of King Edward’s character during this period are notably contradictory. According to Byrthferth who was a priest and monk based at Ramsey Abbey, he had a bad temper which affected those who worked with him and created an atmosphere of fear. This account however is refuted by Osbern of Canterbury who was a Benedictine monk and who commented on Edward’s character in more favorable terms, noting that the men around him held him in high regard. These two varying accounts of his character only contribute to the mystery and intrigue of the king and his short reign.
Despite challenges to his leadership and the anti-monastic movement, King Edward did manage to make some positive changes during his short reign. For instance, he initiated a standardized currency system, issuing coins with his image and carrying the weight of Royal Authority. However, any constructive decisions on his part were overshadowed by the tragic and mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. His assassination marked a turning point in English history with far-reaching consequences for the monarchy and the perception of his reign.
In March 978, Edward would make his fateful decision to visit his half-brother Æthelred and his stepmother Ælfthryth at Corfe Castle in the Purbeck Hills of Dorset. He arrived in the evening, accompanied by a small group of men who were met at the gates of the castle by Ælfthryth’s retainers. According to the Chronicles this was quite as usual; having alerted members of the household to his impending arrival, he would have been expecting a welcome and accompaniment into the castle. Unfortunately, this did not happen. The events that followed have become enveloped in secrecy, mired by clandestine reports and cryptic accounts.
Some reports state that Edward was still mounted on his horse when he was stabbed, dying on his horse which subsequently bolted into the darkness of the night, dragging his body along the ground. Others state that Ælfthryth met him at the door with a kiss of welcome. He was then offered the traditional drink to refresh him. As the young King heartily refreshed his thirst after the dusty journey, one of the Queen’s attendants stabbed the sixteen-year-old in the back. Though severely wounded, he managed to spur his horse and escaped, making an attempt to rejoin his companions, but died on the road. His bloody corpse, dragged in the stirrups by the terrified animal, revealed his fate to his attendants. Most accounts state that Edward’s murder was arranged by his stepmother who intended to put her own son on the throne. Although unproven, Ælfthryth and her factions, including Æthelred’s main advisors appear the most likely perpetrators of the assassination as Æthelred was too young to have orchestrated such an event. Another key figure possibly implicated in Edward’s demise was Ælfhere, one of the main conspirators in the anti-monastic movement. Young as he was, on King Edward’s death, Æthelred ascended the throne at age ten and the responsibility for Edward the Martyr’s death remained a source of intrigue, with power, politics and wealth at play.
A 19th-century depiction (above) by James William Edmund Doyle, Edward the Martyr is offered a cup of mead by Queen Ælfthryth, widow of the late Edgar, unaware that her attendant is about to murder him! The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle has become the main source for this period and in particular for this event, with the Peterborough Chronicle manuscript describing the sad events on 18th March thus: “Men murdered him, but God exalted him. In life he was an earthly king; after death he is now a heavenly saint.”
Several reported events led to King Edward’s sainthood after his death. The first is the miracle of the blind woman and proceeds as follows. After his murder, Edward’s body was hidden in a humble dwelling of a woman who was blind. That night an awe-inspiring light filled her hut and the blind woman cried out for divine mercy. Accounts vary but the outcome was that her sight was restored. King Edward’s journey toward sainthood continued the following year when his body was disinterred to be moved to Shaftsbury and was found to be exactly as it was when he was first buried. In addition to this miracle, Archbishop Dunstan reported that while accompanying King Edward’s body to Shaftesbury, he observed that two crippled men who encountered the procession were suddenly cured.
Source: Edward the Martyr
A cult dedicated to the martyred King sprang up, bringing pilgrims flocking to Shaftesbury to seek miracles at his shrine. In 1008, the All-English Council, presided over by Saint Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, officially canonized Saint Edward. This is approximately what was written about King Edward’s death in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:
Since the Angles came to the island of Britain they have not committed a more terrible crime than this one. People killed him, but the Lord glorified him: in lifetime an earthly king, and after death—a Heavenly saint. The murderers wiped the memory of him from the face of the earth, but the Heavenly Father made him holy both in Paradise and on Earth. Those who did not kneel before him when he was alive now humbly venerate his precious relics. Now we see that the wisdom of men, guile and plans of this world are nothing in comparison with the providence of God.
Source: Shaftesbury Catholic Church
Above is a youthful image of King Edward, pictured in front of Corfe Castle with his hunting dog. This image is above the main altar in Swanage. Shaftesbury, Swanage, and Wareham are the three Catholic churches in Dorset dedicated to the young martyr king.
Along with Edmund of East Anglia and Edward the Confessor, Edward the Martyr has always been considered one of the three true Patron Saints of England. St Edward is regarded as a Passion-Bearer in the Orthodox Church, a type of saint who embraces death out of love for Christ. Many members of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church all acknowledge and commemorate him to this day.
 Source: King Edward the Martyr 975-978 |  St. Edward the Martyr commemorative sign, Corfe Castle village |  Source: Discover Middle Ages |
 Stained Glass Window at Shaftesbury Abbey of St. Edward by Rupert Moore |
