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[[Image:Edward the Martyr.jpg|right|frame|St. Edward the Martyr]]
The holy and right-believing '''King Edward the Martyr''' (c. 962 – [[March 18]], 978/979) succeeded his father Edgar of England as King of England in 975, but was murdered after a reign of only a few years. As the murder was attributed to "irreligious" opponents, whereas Edward himself was considered a good Christian, he was [[glorification|glorified]] as ''[[Saint]] Edward the [[Martyr]]'' in 1001; he may also be considered a [[passion-bearer]]. His [[feast day]] is celebrated on [[March 18]], the uncovering of his [[relics]] is commemorated on [[February 13]], and the elevation of his relics on [[June 20]]. The [[Translation (relics)|translation ]] of his relics is commemorated on [[September 3]].
== Motive and details of his murder ==
The stories of the relics of St. Edward began at the moment of his death (martyrdom). Immediately following the murder, the body of the murdered king slipped from the saddle of his horse and was dragged with one foot in the stirrup until the body fell into a stream at the base of the hill upon which Corfe Castle stands (the stream was found thereafter to have healing properties—particularly for the blind). The queen then ordered that body be hurriedly hidden in a hut nearby. Within the hut, however, lived a woman who was blind from birth, and whom the queen supported out of charity. During the night, a wonderful light appeared and filled the whole hut. Struck with awe, the woman cried out: "Lord, have mercy!" and suddenly received her sight. At this she discovered the dead body of the king. The church of St. Edward at Corfe Castle now stands on the site of this [[miracle]]. At dawn the queen learned of the miracle and was troubled. Again she ordered disposal of the body, this time by burying it in a marshy place near Wareham. A year after the murder, however, a pillar of fire was seen over the place where the body was hidden, lighting up the whole area. This was seen by some of the inhabitants of Wareham, who raised the body. Immediately, a clear spring of healing water sprang up in that place. Accompanied by what was now a huge crowd of mourners, the body was taken to the church of the Most Holy [[Mother of God]] in Wareham and buried at the east end of the church. This took place on [[February 13]], 980.
On the account of a series of subsequent miracles, the relics were translated to the [[abbey]] at Shaftesbury. When the relics were taken up from the grave, they were found to be whole and [[Incorruptibility|incorrupt]]. The translation of the relics occurred in great procession on [[February 13]], 981, and arrived at Shaftesbury seven days later. There the relics were received by the [[nun]]s of Shaftesbury Abbey and were buried with full royal honors on the north side of the [[altar]]. On the way from Wareham to Shaftesbury, a further miracle had taken place; two crippled men were brought close to the bier, and those carrying it lowered the body to their level, whereupon the cripples were immediately restored to full health. This procession and these events were re-enacted in 1000 years later in 1981. In 1001, the tomb in which the saint lay was observed to regularly rise from the ground. King Ethelred was filled with joy at this and instructed the [[bishop]]s to raise his brother's tomb from the ground and place it into a more fitting place. As the tomb was opened a wonderful fragrance issued from it, such that all present "thought that they were standing in [[Paradise]]". The bishops then bore away the sacred relics from the tomb and placed them in a casket in the holy place of the saints together with other holy relics. This elevation of the relics of St. Edward took place on [[June 20]], 1001.
St. Edward was officially glorified by the All-English Council of 1008, presided over by St. [[Alphege]], Archbishop of Canterbury (who was later also martyred by the Danes in 1012). King Ethelred ordered that the saint's three feast days (March 18, February 13, and June 20) should be celebrated throughout England. Shaftesbury Abbey was rededicated to the Mother of God and St. Edward. Shaftesbury was apparently renamed "Edwardstowe," only reverting to its original name after the Reformation. Many miracles were recorded at the tomb of St. Edward including the healing of lepers and the blind.
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Saints of the British Isles]]
[[Category:Pre-Schism Western Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Rulers]]
[[Category:Celtic and Anglo10th-Saxon Saintscentury saints]]