The Image of the Saint King in the First Hagiography of Edward the Confessor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52575/2687-0967-2023-50-4-881-888Keywords:
Edward the Confessor, sanctity, image of a saint, hagiography, lives of the saintsAbstract
Edward the Confessor is one of the most famous kings in the history of medieval England. His righteous life prompted the creation of hagiographic works and canonization in 1161. This article examines the mechanism of constructing the holiness of Edward the Confessor in «The Life of King Edward who rests in Westminster». The life is preserved due to the only manuscript kept in the British Library (Harley MS 526). The manuscript dates from the early 12th century. The analysis of the source shows that the author of the first hagiography of Edward the Confessor uses typical methods to create the image of the saint king. These methods are the description of righteous life, virtues and ability to perform miracles. The value of this source lies in the fact that the author of the life demonstrates a new model of the royal holiness through the image of Edward the Confessor. Previous Anglo-Saxon kings achieved holiness through martyrdom or the monastic lifestyle, but Edward the Confessor attains holiness through his righteous life. wise and just government.
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