Preface

Summary

IN 2005 Westminster Abbey celebrated the millennium of the birth of Edward the Confessor, who refounded and endowed the Abbey and still lies buried in his shrine at the heart of the later, Gothic building. Although the year of Edward's birth is not known precisely, it must have taken place after his parents’ marriage in 1002, and he was certainly alive in 1005 when he appears as a child-witness to a charter: 2005 thus seemed the most suitable time to mark the anniversary. The celebration comprised various events at Edward's shrine in Westminster Abbey, a concert performance of contemporary music and writings, and a conference on ‘Edward: the Man and the Legend’, in association with King's College, London. The conference was the origin of this book, as most of the papers were first given there. It is a pleasure to thank the Principal and the Dean of King's College for their hospitality, and the Centre for Late Antique and Medieval Studies at King's for generous help towards the cost of the colour illustrations. Thanks are also due to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, especially the then Dean, Very Revd. Wesley Carr, and Canon Nicholas Sagovsky, for their support for the conference and generous subvention towards the costs of publication. The central role in the proceedings was played by Professor David Carpenter, who organised the conference, invited the speakers, and has helped at every stage to see this book through the press. Our thanks are due to Benjamin Wild, who compiled the index, to Christopher Tilley for help with the text, and to Caroline Palmer and the staff of Boydell & Brewer for their customary efficiency in publication.