Edward, the eldest surviving son of Eadgar and his first wife Aethelflaed, was crowned king at the age of sixteen when his father passed on.
His candidacy was supported by Dunstan, the influential archbishop of Canterbury, but opposed by Eadgars second wife Queen Aelfthryth and her followers, who supported Edward’s younger step brother Aethelred II.
March 18th 978, Edward was murdered at Corfe Castle in Dorset by Aelfthryths followers.
While Aethelred was no more than ten years old at the time of the murder – and therefore not directly involved in it – his legacy was stained with fratricide and regicide, and in the end with the loss of the kingdom to Danish attackers.
Beatified and awarded the title of “Martyr”, Edward is recognized as a saint in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican tradition.
