Edward the Confessor of Edward's lands exceeded that of the greatest earls, but they were scattered among the southern earldoms. He had no personal powerbase, and he does not seem to have attempted to build one. In 1050–51 he even paid off the fourteen foreign ships which constituted his standing navy and abolished the tax raised to pay for it. However, in ecclesiastical and foreign affairs he was able to follow his own policy. King Magnus I of Norway aspired to the English throne, and in 1045 and 1046, fearing an invasion, Edward took command of the fleet at Sandwich. Beorn's elder brother,
Iste confessor the day whereon the Lord’s true witness trns John O’Conner 1902 <poem> 1 This is the day whereon the Lord’s true witness, 2 Loving, far-seeing, lowly, modest minded, 3 Oft hath it been thro’ his sublime deserving 4 Wherefore to him we raise the solemn chorus, 5 Healing and power, grace and beauteous honour </poem> The Confessor of Christ, from Shore to Shore trn Fr. Edwards Caswall, 1849 <poem> 1 The Confessor of Christ, from shore to shore 2 Holy and innocent were all his ways; 3 Ofttimes his merits high in every land, 4 Therefore to him triumphant praise