Edward was the son of Edmund II (Ironside), king of England. When Edmund died and Canute became king in 1016, Edward fled to Hungary where he married into the country's ruling family. In 1053 Edward was invited back to England by (Harold Godwinson / Edward the Confessor ?) with his three children. Edward the Confessor had no children and Edward the Exile had an excellent claim to the English throne if the king died. Edward the Exile died shortly after arriving back in England in 1057. His death is a mystery, but may have been arranged by Harold Godwinson who was to benefit from the heir the throne's death. Edward's children including his eldest son, Edgar the Aethling were brought up by Edward the Confessor, and Edgar was nominated as heir to the English throne.