Martyr Edmund Day in England
Martyr Edmund Day in England is held on November 20. Edmund the Martyr also known as St Edmund or Edmund of East Anglia, died 20 November 869, was king of East Anglia from about 855 until his death. This event in the second decade of the month November is annual. Help us
Born on Christmas Day 841 AD, Edmund succeeded to the throne of East Anglia in 856. Brought up as a Christian, he fought alongside King Alfred of Wessex against the pagan Viking and Norse invaders (the Great Heathen Army) until 869/70 when his forces were defeated and Edmund was captured by the Vikings.
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.
Edmund shared the title of patron saint of monarchy with Edward the Confessor from 1066 onwards, while St George became England's only patron saint in 1400.
Churches dedicated to his memory are to be found all over England, including St Edmund the King and Martyr's Church in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren during the 1670s. Edmund's martyrdom features on several medieval wall-paintings to be found in churches across England.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
Wedding day of Elizabeth II on November 20 (United Kingdom);
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