Edward "the Confessor." Was born about 1004, son of Ethelred the Unready and Emma, daughter of Richard the Fearless, duke of Normandy. Was brought up at the Norman court and, after his accession, on the death of Hardicanute, in 1042, showed a preference for Norman customs and ideas. Outrages were committed with impunity by his Norman favorites, while the English earls, Leofric of Mercia and Godwine of Wessex, were engaged in private quarrels. At last, in 1052, Godwine, who had been outlawed, rose in rebellion and installed Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, in place of Robert of Jumieges, who had fled with the other Normans. During the rest of the reign, all real power was in the hands of the House of Godwine. Edward codified the customary law of the Anglo-Saxons, which thus became known as the "Laws of King Edward." Died 1066.

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