Who was St. Edmund?

Discover the story behind our name, our school logo and the values we live by.

At St. Edmund’s CofE Primary and Nursery School, our name connects us with St. Edmund’s Church in Mansfield Woodhouse and a Christian story of faith, courage and service.

Learning about St. Edmund helps us explore our heritage and consider how our Sixcess Values can guide the choices we make today.

A king remembered for his faith

Edmund was an Anglo-Saxon king of East Anglia, a kingdom in the east of what is now England. He lived during the ninth century and died in 869, when a Viking army invaded his kingdom.

Christian tradition remembers Edmund as a king who remained faithful to God under great pressure. According to later accounts, he refused to abandon his Christian faith and was killed. He became known as St. Edmund, King and Martyr.

(A martyr is someone who is killed because of their faith or beliefs).

Few records survive from Edmund’s lifetime. Much of his familiar story comes from Christian accounts written more than a century after his death. These accounts help us understand how he was remembered, although we cannot be certain about every detail.

The legend of the wolf

One famous legend tells of a wolf that guarded Edmund’s head after his death until his followers found it. The wolf became an important symbol in the stories and artwork associated with him.

Edmund’s shrine became a place of pilgrimage – a place people travelled to for prayer and reflection. The town of Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, takes its name from him.

Was St. Edmund a #StEDDIE?

At St. Edmund’s, being a #StEDDIE means putting our Sixcess Values into action.

Christian accounts portray Edmund as a faithful, generous and just ruler. We can recognise connections between these accounts and our values, while also asking thoughtful questions about what his story means for us today.

Later accounts describe Edmund as a humble ruler who treated people with kindness. This gives us a starting point for exploring the dignity and worth of every person.

We show Respect when we listen, treat others kindly and value people whose beliefs and experiences differ from our own.

Edmund’s role as king brought responsibility for his people. Christian accounts remember him as a leader concerned with their welfare.

We show Responsibility when we take ownership of our choices, care for our surroundings and help our community.

Later accounts describe Edmund as generous towards people in need, including widows and children who had lost their parents. They remember a king who used his position to care for others.

We show Compassion when we notice someone who needs support, include others and turn kindness into action.

Edmund is remembered for remaining faithful to God despite great pressure. His determination provides a clear connection with perseverance.

We show Perseverance when we keep trying, learn from difficulties and ask for help when we need it.

In the Christian story, Edmund remained true to his faith and placed his trust in God. His story encourages us to reflect on honesty, commitment and being trustworthy.

We show Truth & Trust when we tell the truth, keep our promises and have the courage to speak up.

Christian accounts portray Edmund as a just ruler who cared for vulnerable people. This connects with our commitment to fairness and standing up for others.

His story also gives us questions to explore about forgiveness: How should we respond when someone hurts us? How can we seek peace while challenging wrongdoing?

We show Justice & Forgiveness when we stand up for fairness, seek help, put things right and learn how to move forward.