King Æthelred’s Revenge: Archaeologists Examine St. Brice’s Day Massacre Victims

The St. Brice’s Day Massacre took place on November 13, 1002, under the orders of King Æthelred the Unready of England. Concerned about the growing influence and presence of Danish settlers in England, Æthelred ordered the killing of all Danes in his kingdom. This massacre, which targeted Danish men, women, and children, was an attempt to eliminate the threat posed by the Danes, whom Æthelred viewed as a destabilizing force. The massacre, however, did not have the intended effect; instead, it provoked further Viking invasions and retaliations, exacerbating tensions between the English and the Danes. Further discoveries in northern Britain include the famous Lewis Chessmen, intricately carved ivory pieces that reflect the Scandinavian influence on the Isle of Lewis during the Viking era. 00:00 Intro 02:26 The Isle of Harris 07:51 The Iconic Lewis Chessmen 16:14 The St. Brice’s Day Massacre 30:44 The Vale of York Hoard 37:30 The Udal Discoveries 42:28 The Viking