Edward the martyr biography sample

On 18th March 978 a tragic incident occurred: a young King of England was slain at Corfe Castle, having only served as king for a short three years, from 975 until his early demise in 978, when he became known as Edward the Martyr.

Born around 962, Edward was the only son of King Edgar the Peaceful and his first wife Ethelfled.

Whilst he was the first son, he was not the acknowledged heir to the throne as his father had remarried twice and was now settled with his new Queen Elfthryth with whom he had another son, Ethelred the Unready. As half-brother to Edward and with a mother who was now Queen, Ethelred was a valid contender to the throne.

After Edgar’s death a family dispute over power would emerge, leading to an unimaginable turn of events which even today is shrouded in mystery.

The saga began in 975 when Edgar the Peaceful passed away, leaving Edward, just thirteen at the time, as heir to the throne.

However, his legitimacy was called into question and dis