Edward the Confessor (Penguin Monarchs): The Sainted King

Edward the Confessor, the last great king of Anglo-Saxon England, was canonized nearly 100 years after his death. David Woodman's book explores his 24-year reign through contemporary sources, revealing him as a shrewd politician who ascended the throne in 1042 and controlled a sophisticated administration. His reign was a prelude to the Norman Conquest in 1066, showcasing a capable and impressive king at the center of events.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Edward the Confessor, the final great ruler of Anglo-Saxon England, was canonized nearly a century after his passing, and he is in part a figure of myths created in the late Middle Ages. In this illuminating portrayal of England's royal saint, David Woodman delves into the course of Edward's twenty-four-year-long reign through the lens of contemporary sources, ranging from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Vita Ædwardi Regis to the Bayeux Tapestry, in order to separate myth from history and unveil the intricate politics of his life. He portrays Edward as a shrewd politician who, after enduring a long period of exile from England in his youth, ascended to the throne in 1042 and came to control a highly sophisticated and powerful administration.

The twists and turns of Edward's reign are often seen as a precursor to the Norman Conquest in 1066. Woodman elucidates the events and personalities that unfolded clearly, but he also presents a capable and impressive king at the center of them. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Woodman offers a fresh perspective on Edward the Confessor, shedding light on the complexities of his reign and his place in English history.

Weight: 206g
Dimension: 129 x 186 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241383001