King Edward the Confessor was the King of England from 1042 until his death in 1066. He was born around 1003 and was the son of King Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy. Edward is known for his pious nature and for promoting the construction of Westminster Abbey, which became a significant religious site. His reign was marked by relative peace and stability, but it also faced challenges, including disputes over succession. Edward died without an heir, leading to a power struggle that ultimately resulted in the Norman Conquest of England by William the Conqueror later that year.