The coronation of Edward the Confessor as King of England at Westminster Abbey was a significant event that marked the commencement of his reign. Edward, the son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, had spent many years in exile in Normandy, where he developed connections that would later influence his rule. Upon his return to England in 1041, he was welcomed by some factions, while others were wary of his authority due to his long absence and his ties to foreign lands.

The coronation ceremony was presided over by the archbishop of Canterbury, who anointed Edward with holy oil, a ritual that not only sanctified his kingship but also linked him to the divine right to rule. This traditional ceremony was held in Westminster Abbey, which would later become the site of many subsequent royal coronations. Edward's rule was characterized by relative peace and stability, allowing him to focus on rebuilding the royal authority weakened during previous reigns. However, his pacifist approach to governance contrasted sharply with the more aggressive aspirations of the nobility.

Throughout his reign, Edward faced various challenges, including internal strife among the English nobility and the looming threat of Viking incursions. He managed to maintain his position through strategic marriages and alliances, including fostering relationships with powerful French nobility. Edward's pious nature and focus on religiosity also maneuvered him into a position of respect among the clergy and the public, reinforcing the idea of kingship as a divinely ordained role. His reign further established the cultural and political landscape that would shape England in the following centuries, culminating in the succession crisis that followed his death.