St Edmund the Martyr was a king of East Anglia who reigned in the 9th century. He is best known for his resistance against the Viking invasions, particularly during the reign of King Ivar the Boneless. After being captured, he was executed for refusing to renounce his faith and submit to the Vikings. St Edmund was later venerated as a martyr and became the patron saint of England. His feast day is celebrated on November 20. His legacy includes the establishment of Bury St Edmunds, a town that became a significant pilgrimage site in his honor.