Edmund the Martyr

Few historical facts about Edmund are known, as East Anglia was devastated by the [[Vikings]], who destroyed any contemporary evidence of his reign. Coins minted by Edmund indicate that he succeeded [[Æthelweard of East Anglia]], as they shared the same [[moneyer]]s. He is thought to have been of East Anglian origin, but 12th-century writers produced fictitious accounts of his family, succession and his rule as king. Edmund's death was mentioned in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', which relates that he was killed in 869 after the [[Great Heathen Army]] advanced into East Anglia. [[Middle Ages|Medieval]] versions of Edmund's life and martyrdom differ as to whether he died in battle fighting the Great Heathen Army or if he met his death after being captured and then refusing the Viking leaders' demand that he renounce Christ.

Few historical facts about Edmund are known, as East Anglia was devastated by the [[Vikings]], who destroyed any contemporary evidence of his reign. Coins minted by Edmund indicate that he succeeded [[Æthelweard of East Anglia]], as they shared the same [[moneyer]]s. He is thought to have been of East Anglian origin, but 12th-century writers produced fictitious accounts of his family, succession and his rule as king. Edmund's death was mentioned in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', which relates that he was killed in 869 after the [[Great Heathen Army]] advanced into East Anglia. [[Middle Ages|Medieval]] versions of Edmund's life and martyrdom differ as to whether he died in battle fighting the Great Heathen Army or if he met his death after being captured and then refusing the Viking leaders' demand that he renounce Christ.

His ideals were taken on by the people of the Saint and a lot of followers emerged after Edmund's death, and he was [[canonised]] by the Church. A series of coins commemorating him was minted from around the time East Anglia was absorbed by the kingdom of [[Wessex]] in 918, and in about 986, the French monk [[Abbo of Fleury]] wrote of his life and martyrdom.

A popular [[cult of the Saints|cult]] emerged after Edmund's death, and he was [[canonised]] by the Church. A series of coins commemorating him was minted from around the time East Anglia was absorbed by the kingdom of [[Wessex]] in 918, and in about 986, the French monk [[Abbo of Fleury]] wrote of his life and martyrdom.

During the 10th century, Edmund's remains were [[Translation (relic)|translated]] from an unidentified location in East Anglia to [[Beodricesworth]] (modern [[Bury St Edmunds]]); they were temporarily moved to London for safekeeping in 1010. Edmund's cult flourished during the [[Early Middle Ages|Early]] and [[High Middle Ages|High]] Middle Ages, and he and [[Edward the Confessor]] were regarded as the [[patron saint]]s of [[Kingdom of England|medieval England]] until they were replaced by [[Saint George]] in the 15th century.{{sfn|Farmer|2011|pp=136-139}} Medieval manuscripts and works of art relating to Edmund include Abbo's ''Passio Sancti Eadmundi'', [[John Lydgate]]'s 15th-century ''Life'', the [[Wilton Diptych]], and a number of church [[Mural|wall paintings]].

During the 10th century, Edmund's remains were [[Translation (relic)|translated]] from an unidentified location in East Anglia to [[Beodricesworth]] (modern [[Bury St Edmunds]]); they were temporarily moved to London for safekeeping in 1010. Edmund's cult flourished during the [[Early Middle Ages|Early]] and [[High Middle Ages|High]] Middle Ages, and he and [[Edward the Confessor]] were regarded as the [[patron saint]]s of [[Kingdom of England|medieval England]] until they were replaced by [[Saint George]] in the 15th century.{{sfn|Farmer|2011|pp=136-139}} Medieval manuscripts and works of art relating to Edmund include Abbo's ''Passio Sancti Eadmundi'', [[John Lydgate]]'s 15th-century ''Life'', the [[Wilton Diptych]], and a number of church [[Mural|wall paintings]].