St. Edward became king of England at the age of forty after twenty-seven years in exile. On the throne, the virtues of his earlier years shone with new brightness: simplicity, gentleness, humility, and purity.
Using the proper means, St. Edward maintained his chastity in the wedded state. Material wealth paled to him in comparison with the worth of a soul. When he saw a servant robbing his treasury, he let his servant escape, saying the fellow needed the gold more. He would stand at his palace-gate to speak with beggars and lepers. He also healed diseases; many spiritual.
In years prior, long wars had dragged down the economy, but St. Edward's laws and prudence helped enshrine changes that improved institutions. During his twenty-four-year reign, there was peace, prosperity and social equality.
Westminster Abbey is his most renowned work. He passed away on January 5, 1066.