Edward the Confessor: life of the week

History Extra podcast

Immediate Media

History

4.3 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2025

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Edward the Confessor, England’s penultimate Anglo-Saxon king, has long been remembered as a saintly, pious monarch – but was he really the weak ruler whose indecision paved the way for the Norman Conquest that some historical sources would have us think? And if not, how should we understand him? Emily Briffett spoke to historian Tom Licence to explore the life of this medieval monarch – from his early years in exile and his ambitions for the crown to the subsequent political challenges he faced that ultimately shaped the fate of England. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:31.7	Spicey McNuggets for a limited time only.
0:35.0	Until the night of September 25.
0:36.5	Fees apply to delivery.
0:37.4	Participation and price may vary.
0:38.5	Subject to availability, serving time supply.
0:42.4	Hello and welcome to Life of the Week,
0:45.2	where leading historians delve into the lives of some of history's most intriguing and significant figures.
0:52.0	From ancient Egyptian pharaohs and medieval warriors to daring
0:56.9	20th century spies.
1:01.0	Edward the Confessor, England's penultimate Anglo-Saxon king, has long been remembered as a saintly pious monarch.
1:09.8	But some sources would have us believe he was also the
1:13.3	weak ruler whose indecision paved the way for the Norman conquest. Is that fair on Edward? And if not,
	...

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