Edward the Confessor succeeded by Harold Godwinson, who was defeated and killed in the same year by the Normans under William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. Edgar the Ætheling, who was of the House of Wessex, was proclaimed king after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but never ruled and was deposed after about eight weeks. Historians disagree about Edward's fairly long (24-year) reign. His nickname reflects the traditional image of him as unworldly and pious. Confessor reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom, as opposed to King Edward the Martyr. Some portray Edward the Confessor's reign
Paul Atkinson (confessor) Paul Atkinson (confessor) Paul Atkinson (c. 1655 – 15 October 1729), born Matthew Atkinson, was a 17th and 18th century English Roman Catholic priest, regarded as the penal times in the English Church. who is viewed as a martyr due to dying in prison for his Catholic activities. He was born in Yorkshire. He joined the English Franciscan institution, Douai Abbey in 1673, and then became a Catholic missionary in England for twelve years, after this he was betrayed by a maidservant for a £100 reward. On 26 September 1700 he was convicted and condemned to perpetual imprisonment due to