Edmund was born in Germany. He was an English king who was given the throne when he was only fourteen. But his high position did not make him proud or snobbish. Instead, he took as his model the Old Testament king, David.

Edmund tried to serve God as well as David had. In fact, Edmund even learned David’s psalms by heart. The psalms are beautiful hymns of praise to God contained in the Holy Bible.

King Edmund ruled wisely, showing kindness and justice to all his people. When Danish barbarians attacked his land, he fought them bravely. Their army was much larger than his. At last, the English king was captured.

The barbarian leader offered to spare Edmund’s life if he would agree to give his Christian people to them. But the king refused and said he would never save his life by offending God and his people. In anger, the pagan chief ordered for him to be put to death.

St. Edmund was tied to a tree and then cruelly whipped. The holy king took it all patiently, calling on Jesus for strength. Next, his torturers shot arrows into every part of his body. They were careful not to hit any vital organ, so he would suffer for a long time. At last they chopped off his head. King Edmund died in 870.