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King Edward

(circa 1003-1066), Known as 'The Confessor', reigned 1043-66

Sitter in 8 portraits
Born between 1003 and 1005, the son of King Ethelred II the Unready and Emma, daughter of Richard II of Normandy, he became King in 1043. For the first eleven years of his reign the real ruler of England was Godwine, Earl of Wessex. Despite Edward marrying Godwine's daughter Edith, there was a breach between the two men. When Godwine died in 1053, his son Harold succeeded him. It was Harold, not Edward, who dealt with Welsh and Northumbrian rebellions. Consequently, before his death, Edward named Harold as his successor even though he may have promised the crown to a distant cousin, William, Duke of Normandy. Edward was canonised in 1161 and remains the patron saint of the Royal Family.

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King Edward, by Manwine, from a die attributed to Theodoric - NPG 4048King Edward
by Manwine, from a die attributed to Theodoric
NPG 4048
King Edward, by Iocetel, from a die attributed to Theodoric - NPG 4049King Edward
by Iocetel, from a die attributed to Theodoric
NPG 4049
King Edward, after Iocetel, from a die attributed to Theodoric - NPG D7033King Edward
after Iocetel, from a die attributed to Theodoric
NPG D7033
'England's Worthies. The Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine The Great to This Present time', after Unknown artist - NPG D23930'England's Worthies. The Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine The Great to This Present time'
after Unknown artist
NPG D23930
King Edward ('the Confessor'), after Unknown artist - NPG D23597King Edward ('the Confessor')
after Unknown artist
NPG D23597
King Edward ('the Confessor'), after Unknown artist - NPG D23598King Edward ('the Confessor')
after Unknown artist
NPG D23598
King Edward ('the Confessor'), by James Smith - NPG D23596King Edward ('the Confessor')
by James Smith
NPG D23596
Portraits and Dresses of the Kings of England, (with their Arms), prior to the Norman Conquest Plate 7, by William Grainger, after Hamilton - NPG D8869Portraits and Dresses of the Kings of England, (with their Arms), prior to the Norman Conquest Plate 7
by William Grainger, after Hamilton
NPG D8869

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