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
Iste confessor Noster hinc illi chorus obsequentem // Concinit laudem, celebresque palmas; 5 Sit salus illi, decus, atque virtus, // Qui super cæli solio coruscans, </poem> This confessor of the Lord honouring <poem> 1 This confessor of the Lord, honouring // whom, piously people praise worldwide [If it is not the day of his death, the last line is changed to:] 2 Who holy, prudent, humble, modest // led a sober life without sin 3 On account of whose merit, frequently // sick limbs, from many places, languishing 4 Hence our choir, praying to him, sing praise (about his) famous victories 5