St. Brice's Day massacre

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The St. Brice's Day massacre was the killing of many Danes in the Kingdom of England, as ordered by the English king Ethelred the Unready.

England had been attacked by Vikings every year from 997 to 1001 and the system of national defence seems to have broken down altogether. Ethelred was advised that the raiders were receiving support from the many Scandinavians living in England, and in a desperate attempt to get rid of his enemies once and for all, orders were issued commanding the slaughter on St Brice's day (December 2) of 'all the Danish men (women and children) who were in England'.

It is unlikely that such a decree could be carried out literally but historians do believe there was significant loss of life in some towns.

The massacre in Oxford is described in the chronicle of John of Wallingford where it is recorded that the Danish inhabitants took refuge in a church which was burned down by the mob. Amongst those killed was Gunhilde, the sister of King Sweyn I of Denmark, her husband Pada and their child.

Sweyn's desire for revenge on the English led to the invasion of 1003/04, and his persecution of the country eventually saw Ethelred flee to Normandy, with Forkbeard's invasion of 1013/14. He was crowned King of England at this point, although he died within months. There is no evidence to suggest an assassination.

The name St. Brice apparently refers to bishop Bricius of Tours, whose memorial day is November 13.