Edmund The Martyr - St Edmund in The Arts

St Edmund in The Arts

The veneration of Edmund throughout the centuries has left a legacy of noteworthy works of art.

The beautifully illustrated Passio Santi Eadmundi was written by Abbo of Fleury in Bury St Edmunds in around 1130: a surviving copy of the Passio is now kept at the Morgan Library in New York. John Lydgate's 14th century Life, which was presented to Henry VI, is in the British Library. The Wilton Diptych was painted during the reign of Richard II of England and is the most famous representation of Edmund in art. Painted on oak panels, it shows Richard kneeling in front of three saints—one of whom is Edmund—as they present the young king to the Virgin and Child.

The 15th century poet John Lydgate, who lived all his life in Bury St Edmunds, presented his twelve-year-old king Henry VI of England with a long poem (now known as Metrical Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund) when Henry came to the town in 1433 and stayed at the abbey for four months. The book is now kept by the British Library in London.

Edmund's martyrdom features on several mediaeval wall-paintings to be found in churches across England.

The saint features in a romantic poem, Athelston, whose 15th-century author is unknown. In the climactic scene of the poem, Edyff, the sister of King 'Athelston' of England, gives birth to Edmund after passing through a ritual ordeal by fire.