Anyone for Edmund?

When archeologists discover the remains of what seems to be St. Edmund, King of East Anglia, who was martyred by Vikings in the ninth century, this sets off a series of events. In an effort to ingratiate himself with the prime minister, a lowly functionary in London creates a series of Wikipedia entries that claim fake credentials for St. Edmund; these inspire the P.M. to install Edmund as patron saint of the “battered, bruised, far-from United Kingdom,” supplanting St. George (who wasn’t even English to begin with), with the goal of unifying the British Isles. The subterfuge is uncovered eventually, but by that time the damage is done—St. Edmund’s body has been installed in state in a cathedral, and people from all over the world began to congregate to witness any miracles he might do. Political machinations meld with unnerving, inexplicable occurrences that take place in the presence of the saint’s remains. Edge (A Right Royal Face-Off) was inspired to write this novel in part by an actual (but tongue-in-cheek) “Edmund for England” campaign launched by a radio host.