Edward the Confessor
Frank Barlow
The Yale English Monarchs life, still the standard on the last Anglo-Saxon king before 1066.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Henry III
Holy Roman Empire
1046–1056
Emperor Renzong of Song
China
1042–1063
Henry I of France
France
1042–1060
Anund Jacob
Sweden
1042–1050
Emperor Go-Reizei
Japan
1045–1066
Theodora Porphyrogenita
Rome
1042–1056
Macbeth, King of Scotland
Scotland
1042–1057
Zoe Porphyrogenita
Rome
1042–1055
Constantine IX Monomachos
Rome
1042–1055
Emperor Xingzong of Liao
China
1042–1055
Macbeth
Scotland
1042–1057
Emperor Daozong of Liao
China
1055–1066
Philip I of France
France
1060–1066
Malcolm III of Scotland
Scotland
1058–1066
Constantine X Doukas
Rome
1059–1066
Konstantios Doukas
Rome
1060–1066
Emperor Yingzong of Song
China
1063–1066
Pope Leo IX
Papacy
1049–1054
Emund the Old
Sweden
1050–1060
Isaac I Komnenos
Rome
1057–1059
Stenkil
Sweden
1060–1066
Pope Alexander II
Papacy
1061–1066
Emperor Go-Suzaku
Japan
1042–1045
Pope Benedict IX
Papacy
1042–1044
Pope Nicholas II
Papacy
1059–1061
Pope Victor II
Papacy
1055–1057
Pope Gregory VI
Papacy
1045–1047
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Edward the Confessor's life and times.
The Year of the Conquest
David Howarth
A classic narrative of 1066 that sets Edward's death and the succession crisis in vivid context.
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