The holy and right-believing King '''Edmund the Martyr''' was a king and [[martyr]] of East Anglia in the ninth century. He succeeded to the throne of East Anglia in 855 as a fourteen year old. He died a martyr’s death battling the “Great Heathen Army”, a large army of Vikings that pillaged and conquered much of England in the late ninth century. He was venerated early and became popular among the Anglo-Norman nobility. His [[feast day ]] is [[November 20]].

Edmund’s body was interred at Beadoriceworth, the modern Bury St Edmunds. This place became a [[shrine ]] of Edmund that greatly increased his fame. His popularity among the nobility of England grew and lasted. His banner became a symbol among the Anglo-Normans in their expeditions to Ireland and to Caerlaverock Castle. His crest was borne on a banner at the Battle of Agincourt. Churches and colleges throughout England have been named after St Edmund.

In recent years, moves were made in England to restore St . Edmund as the patron [[saint]] of England. Edmund had been replaced by St . George as the [[patron saint]] through King Edward III’s association of St . George with the Order of the Garter. The attempt failed. However, St . Edmund was named the patron saint of the County of Suffolk in 2006.