| Biographical Note |
- Edward was just a teenager when his father died suddenly. A dispute arose about his succession between Edward's supporters and those of Æthelred, Edgar's son by his second wife, Ælfthryth. Although Edward was the one favoured to succeed Edgar, it was a short reign. The only significant achievement of his reign was placing a limit on the amount of land that could come under monastic ownership.
Edward met his mortal end on 18 March 978 (or, possibly, 979) while visiting his stepmother Ælfthryth, and stepbrother, Æthelred, at Corfe in Dorset. Edward was fatally stabbed by one of Æthelred's retainers. Some chroniclers place the blame directly, or indirectly, on Ælfthryth herself. Some claim that she murdered Edward, others that she enticed Edward into a room where he was stabbed by a member of the household. No one was ever convicted of the murder.
Edward was buried at Wareham, 'without any kingly honours', according to the Angle-Saxon Chronicle. A year or so later, his body was reburied at the abbey at Shaftesbury. Miracles began to circulate relating to Edward's body and burial place. By 1001 a charter of Edward's successor, Æthelred, referred to Edward as a saint and martyr. His feast day is 18 March.
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Abt 962 - 978 (~ 16 years)
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