"St Edmund was the first patron saint of England who was later replaced by St George.
St Edmund, also known as Edmund the Martyr, was the king of East Anglia in the ninth century (c. 855) and was killed by pagan Danish invaders on 20 November 869.
There are many legends surrounding St Edmund and how he met his end against the invading Vikings. Legend has it that on being captured, Edmund refused to renounce his Christian faith and was taken to the village of Hoxne in Suffolk. Here, it is believed that he was tied to a tree and hundreds of arrows were shot at him, was beheaded and his head thrown into the woods. The folklore continues that his head was later found, while being guarded by a wolf who was calling ‘here, here’ to those searching. It is also said that when St Edmund’s head was placed in his coffin it miraculously reattached itself to his body with only a red line around his neck as evidence of any injury."
St Edmund is a good shout. St George is a bit of tart if you ask me. He's patron saint to loads of countries (not to mention being patron saint of syphillis sufferers!!) Is this really the sort of character we want to be associated with?!
"St Edmund was the first patron saint of England who was later replaced by St George.
St Edmund, also known as Edmund the Martyr, was the king of East Anglia in the ninth century (c. 855) and was killed by pagan Danish invaders on 20 November 869.
There are many legends surrounding St Edmund and how he met his end against the invading Vikings. Legend has it that on being captured, Edmund refused to renounce his Christian faith and was taken to the village of Hoxne in Suffolk. Here, it is believed that he was tied to a tree and hundreds of arrows were shot at him, was beheaded and his head thrown into the woods. The folklore continues that his head was later found, while being guarded by a wolf who was calling ‘here, here’ to those searching. It is also said that when St Edmund’s head was placed in his coffin it miraculously reattached itself to his body with only a red line around his neck as evidence of any injury."
I think we should probably give our national day to King Alfred because it is my understanding he was the driving force between uniting Mercia, Cent, Wessex, Northumberland & East Anglia into the United Kingdom
I think we should probably give our national day to King Alfred because it is my understanding he was the driving force between uniting Mercia, Cent, Wessex, Northumberland & East Anglia into the United Kingdom
What else did Edmund achieve apart from getting captured, shot to bits and de-capitated? I'm not feeling inspired. Now, slaying a dragon, on the other hand...
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St Edmund, also known as Edmund the Martyr, was the king of East Anglia in the ninth century (c. 855) and was killed by pagan Danish invaders on 20 November 869.
There are many legends surrounding St Edmund and how he met his end against the invading Vikings. Legend has it that on being captured, Edmund refused to renounce his Christian faith and was taken to the village of Hoxne in Suffolk. Here, it is believed that he was tied to a tree and hundreds of arrows were shot at him, was beheaded and his head thrown into the woods. The folklore continues that his head was later found, while being guarded by a wolf who was calling ‘here, here’ to those searching. It is also said that when St Edmund’s head was placed in his coffin it miraculously reattached itself to his body with only a red line around his neck as evidence of any injury."
Both, in my opinion, would/should be beaten by St Alban though.
Then about a 1000 years later the French got duffed in by the English on St Crispin and Crispinian's day
Very decent goalscorer, he was too.
What else did Edmund achieve apart from getting captured, shot to bits and de-capitated? I'm not feeling inspired. Now, slaying a dragon, on the other hand...
;o)