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The St. Brice's Day massacre refers to the killing of all Danes in England, as ordered by the English king Ethelred, on November 13, 1002. This eventually led to the invasion of England by the Danes under Sweyn I in 1003, as his sister Gunhilde was amongst those murdered. The massacre is described in the chronicle of John of Wallingford.
At the time, England suffered from repeated attacks by the Danes, and constant fear of invasion. A tax was collected to pay off the Danes to prevent invasion. Frustration and, possibly, promises of support from Normandy, led Ethelred to decree the mass murder.
The name St. Brice apparently refers to bishop Bricius of Tours, whose memorial day is November 13.
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