Tag: William Rufus

Celebrating Legends, Folklore & Spirituality 365 Days A Year for November 20th – Deadman’s Day, Feast of St. Edmund

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November 20th

 

Deadman’s Day, Feast of St. Edmund

 

Edmund, like William Rufus, reigns among those who have been herald as divine victims-the king slain for the love of the land and his people. Edmund was the king of East Angles in 865. In 869, he was captured by the Vikings, who offered to spare his life were he to share his kingdom with their leader, Ingvarr the Bonless. Edmund refused to relinquish any of his land or people to the heathen leader. Thus, Edmund was tied to a tree and used for target practice for the Danish archers, after which he was beheaded. Following his ritualistic death, his head was thrown into a thicket. When his followers happened upon it they found a grey wolf guarding the head. His tomb, in the holy city of Saint Edmundsbury, has been the site of many miracles, and it was upon his bones that the barons swore their oath that led to the Magna Carter-the beginning of human rights in England.

 

Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – William Rufus and St. Sidwell’s Day

August 2

William Rufus and St. Sidwell’s Day

The second day of August is set aside to remember the Norman man king William Rufus, who was shot by Walter Tyrrell during ing a hunting accident in the new forest. Many people believe that Rufus was a divine victim who sacrificed his life for the love of the land and its people.

St. Sidwell’s Day commemorates the saint who had a chapel and well at Exeter dedicated to her. It is said that she was murdered on the instructions of her stepmother, who was jealous of her wealth and position. The stepmother hired killers to cut off Sidwell’s head and when they did apparently a spring gushed forth. A well was placed over the spring and the chapel built nearby.

 

Celebrating Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Deadman’s Day, Feast of St. Edmund

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November 20

Deadman’s Day, Feast of St. Edmund

Edmund, like William Rufus, reigns among those who have been herald as divine victims—the king slain for the love of the land and his people. Edmund was the king of East Angles in 865. In 869, he was captured by the Vikings, who offered to spare his life were he to share his kingdom with their leader, Ingvarr the Bonless. Edmund refused to relinquish any of his land or people to the heathen leader. Thus, Edmund was tied to a tree and used for target practice for the Danish archers, after which he was beheaded. Following his ritualistic death, his head was thrown into a thicket. When his followers happened upon it they found a grey wolf guarding the head. His tomb, in the holy city of Saint Edmundsbury, has been the site of many miracles, and it was upon his bones that the barons swore their oath that led to the Magna Carter—the beginning of human rights in England.