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Gone Medieval

Edward the Confessor

Gone Medieval

History Hit

History

4.62.2K Ratings

🗓️ 11 June 2024

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

One of the last kings of Anglo-Saxon England, Edward the Confessor regained the throne for the House of Wessex and is the only English monarch to become a Saint. But Edward the Confessor has also been blamed for causing the invasion of 1066―the last successful conquest of England by a foreign power.

 

In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega talks to Professor Tom Licence, author of Edward the Confessor: Last of the Royal Blood, about a compassionate and conscientious ruler, whose reign marked an interval of peace and prosperity between periods of strife.


This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Joseph Knight and Rob Weinberg.

Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

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if you don't know your history.

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your history. Join me Anna Temkin, deputy obituaries editor of the Times each week

0:50.1

as we explored the astonishing lives that have shaped our own lives.

0:55.0

Your history, available wherever you find your podcasts. K King Edward the Confessor is probably best known for dying in 1066 and setting off the chain of events that would lead to the Norman conquest.

1:23.7

But from the high medieval period onward, he was remembered not just as a king,

1:28.9

but as a saint throughout Christendom.

1:31.2

The 13th century golden legend of the lives of Saints compiled by the Archbishop of Genoa

1:36.6

noted of Edward that his ascent to the throne and reign was celebrated. Of him the author wrote

1:43.0

Oh good lord, what joy and gladness was then in England,

1:48.0

for when the old felicity of this

1:55.0

city city of this land was almost despaired, then it was kindled again by the coming of this blessed king, St. Edward.

1:58.0

Then had the Commons rest and peace, and the Lords and gentlemen rest and honor.

2:06.6

And then Holy Church received all her liberties again.

2:11.4

Then was the sun lifted up and the moon set in his order. That is to say, priests

2:18.4

shined in wisdom and in holiness. The monasteries flourished in devotion by holy religion.

2:25.6

The clerks gave light and prospered in their offices to the pleasure of God.

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