The Legend of Edward the Confessor’s Ring

A tall story from the 11th century

For a medieval saint it seems to have been something of an occupational hazard to be dug up after burial, and to have one’s coffin rifled for relics and valuables. The more venerable the saint was in life, the more vulnerable he was in death. Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042–66) is a prime example.

A famous story told about Edward is that once, as he was walking near Westminster Abbey, he gave away a valuable ring containing a large sapphire to an old beggar who asked him for alms. Years later, some English pilgrims met the same ‘old beggar’ in the Holy Land, who explained that he was none other than John the Evangelist. He gave them the ring, and asked them to go back to England and return it to King Edward, and to warn him that in six months’ time he would die.

This story is depicted in many churches — one of the the best examples is in the St John Window at York Minster. The ring became Edward’s personal symbol.

When Edward was buried in 1066, all sorts of precious articles were buried with him, and he was laid to rest wearing this holy ring — naturally a great temptation for future generations.

His coffin was first opened in 1102, just thirty-six years after his death, and his body was found to be perfectly…