Edward biography

Profile

After King Ethelred II died in 1016, a Danish invasion drove his son Edward into exile. Edward finally succeeded to the throne in 1041. But his power was usurped by Godwine, Earl of Wessex, Edward's father-in-law, then by Godwine's son Harold, who became Edward's successor. After his death, Edward was canonized Saint Edward the Confessor in a deal between King Henry II and Pope Alexander III.