Edward III "The Confessor" England

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• AFN: B19R-SM

Notes:

Edward III "The Confessor", King Of England the last English king descended
from Alfred the Great, succeeded his half-brother, Hardecanute, in 1042.
Edward was a weak ruler. Most of his reign was dominated either by his
father-in-law, Godwin, Earol of the West Saxons, or by Norman advisors and
friends whom he advanced to important governmental and church positions.

Edward was a pious man. He founded Westminster Abbey, which was completed in
1065. Pope Alexander III cannonized him in 1161 with the title of Confessor.

Edward was childless, and the great problem of his later years was the
succession to the throne. William, Duke of Normandy, claimed the throne by
Edward's grant. Harold, Godwin's son, claimed it by Edward's deathbed
concession and the choice of the nobles. This dispute made a war for the
kingdom inevitable.
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Reference:
"The World Book Encyclopedia", 1968, p E76.