Edward the Confessor (King of England)

Edward the Confessor (c. 1003–1066) was an English king known for his piety and his role in shaping the monarchy. Reigning from 1042 until his death, he was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Edward is celebrated for his efforts to strengthen the church and for his contributions to English architecture, including the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey. His reign was marked by political instability and tensions with noble families, particularly over succession. After his death, the struggle for the throne led to the Norman Conquest, fundamentally changing English history. Edward was canonized as a saint in the 12th century.