During the month of January, 1066, the holy King of England St. Edward the Confessor was confined to his bed by his last illness in his royal Westminster Palace. St. Aelred, Abbott of Recraux, in Yorkshire, relates that a short time before his happy death, this holy king was wrapt in ecstasy, when two pious Benedictine monks of Normandy, whom he had known in his youth, during his exile in that country, appeared to him, and revealed to him what was to happen to England in future centuries, and the cause of the terrible punishment. They said: 'The extreme coruption and wickedness of the English nation has provoked the just anger of God. When malice shall have reached the fulness of its measure, God will, in His wrath, send to the English people wicked spirits, who will punish and afflict them with great severity, by separating the green tree from its parent stem the length of three furlongs. But at last this same tree, through the compassionate mercy of God, and without any national (governmental) assistance, shall return to its original root, reflourish and bear abundant fruit.' After having heard these prophetic words, the saintly King Edward opened his eyes, returned to his senses, and the vision vanished. He immediately related all he had seen and heard to his virgin spouse, Edgitha, to Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, and to Harold, his successor to the throne, who were in his chamber praying around his bed. -- Vita beati Edwardi regis et confessoris
' Then he addressed his last words to the queen who was
sitting at his feet,
' May God be gracious to this my wife for the zealous solicitude of her service.
For she has served me devotedly, and has always stood close by my side like
a beloved daughter. And so from the forgiving God may she obtain the reward
of eternal happiness.'
And stretching forth his hand to his governor , her brother, Harold, he said,
'
I commend this woman and all the kingdom to your protection. Serve and honour
her with faithful obedience as your lady and sister, which she is, and do not
despoil her, as long as she lives, of any due honour got from me. Likewise I
also commend those men who have left their native land for love of me, and have
up till now served me faithfully. Take from them an oath of fealty, if they
should so wish, and protect and retain them, or send them with your safe conduct
safely across the Channel to their own homes with all that they have acquired
in my service. Let the grave for my burial be prepared in the minster in the
place which shall be assigned to you. I ask that you do not conceal my death,
but announce it promptly in all parts, so that all the faithful can beseech
the mercy of Almighty God on me, a sinner.'
Now and then he also comforted the queen, who ceased not from lamenting, to
ease her natural grief.'
' Fear not,' he said, ' I shall not die now, but by God's mercy regain my strength.'
Nor did he mislead the attentive, least of all himself, by these words, for
he has not died, but has passed from death to life, to live with Christ. --
Vita Aedwardi