Confessor, Archbishop of Canterbury, born Abingdon, England, 1180; died Soissy, France, 1240. He taught with great success at Oxford and Paris, and in 1227 was commissIoned to preach the Sixth Crusade in England. In 1234 he became Archbishop of Canterbury and firmly defended the rights of Church and State against Henry III, but appeals were carried to Rome over his head and Henry adroitly managed by the authority of the legate to nullify Edmund's power. The archbishop then withdrew to France and died shortly afterwards. He practised severe penance throughout his life, and was remarkable for his gentleness and charity. Represented embracing the Child Jesus, and receiving a lamb from the Virgin Mary. Canonized, 1249. Relics at Pontigny. Feast, November 16,.