Edmund

Edmund (d. 870), king of East Anglia, known as ‘the Martyr’. More famous in legend and because of the grotesque method of his martyrdom than in his life and works, Edmund, the last effective king of the East Angles of native stock, was killed by the Danes, probably under their leaders, Ingware and Ubba, on 20 November 870. Stories quickly grew concerning his sanctity, his refusal to forswear Christianity, and the nature of his death (tied to a tree and shot to death by Danish arrows). His burial place at Bury St Edmunds became a shrine of special veneration, and the great abbey founded there helped to perpetuate his memory. Even in Scandinavia his memory was later held in great esteem.

Henry Loyn

Edmund 921-46, king of Wessex (939-46), half brother and successor of Athelstan. Immediately after his accession he had to face an invasion of Irish vikings led by Olaf Guthfrithson . He was forced to cede to them the territory between Watling Street and the Northumbrian border (already occupied partly by Danes), and he succeeded in recapturing it in 944 only because of the quarrels among the Norse leaders. In 945 he invaded Strathclyde, which he then turned over to the Scottish king Malcolm I. Edmund was killed in a brawl and was succeeded by his brother Edred.

Edmund (d. 870), king of East Anglia, known as ‘the Martyr’. More famous in legend than in life, Edmund was killed by the Danes on 20 November 870. Stories quickly grew concerning his refusal to forswear Christianity, and his death (tied to a tree and shot to death by arrows). His burial place at Bury St Edmunds became a shrine, and the great abbey founded there helped to perpetuate his memory.