Edward the Martyr, St

Edward the Martyr, St ( c. 963 – 78 )
King of England ( 975 – 78 ). He succeeded his father Edgar as king, but his accession was disputed by his stepbrother Ethelred II , and while visiting him and his stepmother Alfrida at Corfe Castle in Dorset, Edward was murdered. Miracles were reported at his tomb at Shaftesbury and Ethelred had to pronounce the date of Edward's death ( 18 March ) a solemn festival. He was canonized and became the focus of a considerable medieval cult.