The St. Brice's Day Massacre

[@deividasmatulionis8642]

Hello Mr. Crawford. I am a studen from Norway and I actually had a presentation in English class today. The theme that we (the students) got was why it is important to think critically and how social media can spread fake news. We got to decide our own topic. Since I am extremely interested in history, and especially in the viking age, I had a presentation about critical thinking, social media and fake news all in a viking context. I talked basically about how to be critical and check other sources if you are interested to learn about something from the viking age. And I had a slide talking a little bit about you and how you are one of the most trusted Norse experts out there. I even referred to one of your videos, the one about that painting of Thor from the national romanticism in the 1800s. And how people are quick to use this image when they want to get a depiction of the god. I just wanted to say thank you for doing these videos. You have really helped me to become even more interested in the viking age. And I have learned a LOT from your videos. Thank you very much!! Keep educating people!

[@hive_indicator318]

The directions for submitting complaints at 16:20 is hilarious!

[@shelbybrown8312]

With all the fervor for Nordic culture today I really enjoy this channel's grounded reasonable take on the topics.

[@krikeles]

I definitely enjoy these diversions into history and archaeology, especially the biochemical and microbial aspects. I remember reading about the Oxford mass grave. It appears that some of the dead in addition to having been beheaded were infected with a strain of smallpox which differed from the smallpox strain recently driven to extinction. No mention of the disease in any of the contemporary records?

[@stevejohnson6858]

Don't know about small pox but at least one of them had a diseased leg which would have been twice it's normal size and oozed pus, likely osteomyelitis. Some of these guys did not appear to be in the best of health which in my mind could point to them having been captive for some time, not had wounds tended to, maybe starved etc. It is not at all settled that the Vikings found in Dorset were connected to the St Brice's Day Massacre although the carbon dating time frame seems to be roughly around the same period.

[@the_purple_mage]

As always, thank you for your insightful and often educational "ramblings", sir!

[@ThePykeSpy]

How does the good Doctor always know exactly the kind of topic I'd want to watch a video on? It's almost scary.

[@brynjolf3974]

Good timing what with that awful Valhalla show focusing on revenging the massacre despite the fact that the main character is Leif Erikson :|

[@stevejohnson6858]

Most, if not all, of the men whose remains were found on that hill in Dorset likely did not come from Denmark but rather Norway and a good number of them from more northern areas of Norway. This is the conclusion I have read for several years regarding the studies of their teeth. As far as being beheaded from the front, there is the story which most here likely already know about the captured Jomsvikings insisting that they be beheaded from the front, thus facing their executioners. Could be possible reason for it.

[@Robin_Goodfellow]

Damn, imagine being known as "The Unready" for the rest of Time

[@mattd8725]

Oddly enough, he is remembered as one of the better kings because he was pious and thoughtful. Do you want to be seen as "very ready" to order mass executions?

[@rev1ction]

If I'm right, his title is a pun on his name in Old English. There's more to that, but I'm no expert.

[@jeddaniels2283]

Two things. Harald Bluetooth, described in two Nordic sources as founder of the Jomsvikings, a group of warriors so notorious across Europe that they spawned their own saga. “I am content to die as are all our comrades. But I will not let myself be slaughtered like a sheep,” says one Viking, in the Jomsviking saga. “I would rather face the blow. Strike straight at my face and watch carefully if I pale at all.” There were no females found in these grave certainly no the preteen boys. There is also scant evidence Svienn had a sister called Gunnhider in England. Dane was a broad term many moons ago. For me this was a slaughter of active vikings. With some hiding within the populace. Alas. The DNA evidence of many of these men found, is Norwegian.

[@RallyGal94]

Thank you Dr. Crawford. Two years ago your video "Advice for adjuncts" was something I needed to hear that day. You've really hellped with my language studies, and keep my head. Take it easy.

[@brodieknight772]

I still find everything you post absolutely fascinating. I love having this channel as a resource, please continue with both these historical stories and the mythical stories too.

[@guy1524]

Good thing closely related cultural groups don't commit atrocities against each other anymore these days

[@shreyvaghela3963]

I don't know man. I think whites have a habit of hating each other and themselves. Just look at tye insane amount of immigration from foreign countries and the sheer self hatred of whites.

[@teenieneenie630]

Sarcasm?

[@jared_bowden]

@@teenieneenie630 I think it might be a reference to the actions being taken by a certain Slavic political leader.

[@teenieneenie630]

@@jared_bowden Ah...thank you.

[@thefighter887]

I share DNA with one of the victims of the mass grave in question, which is evidencing direct common ancestry between me and the sample, my longest shared dna is 148 SNPs. literally living in Danelaw and sharing some dna with Danish and Scandinavian Vikings is so interesting.

[@jp16k92]

I share DNA with four of the victims from Oxford and two from the other mass execution, so hello… cousin?

[@zoesmith2723]

I also share DNA from two of the victims from oxford ✌🏽

[@thefighter887]

How interesting that's really cool ✨🙏🏻 hello

[@michaelcandido2824]

I also do.

[@ArsLonga1967]

Thank you for another insightful and educational video. I love your calm, considered way of conveying information. I live in East Anglia, an area with a strong Viking/Norse connection, I never realised the Scandinavian presence in England got as far west and south as Devon (Devonshire). Thank you for another brilliant post Dr Crawford.

[@nickverbree]

I really appreciate your cultural and linguistic analysis of historical events! It's very interesting to have more information to provide context.

[@Aliestor]

Hello Jackson Thanks for the video, I think it is interesting also to hear your perspective on topics like this

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

I thought the Old English term Danes referred to all Scandinavians.

[@woodyseed-pods1222]

I enjoy rambling with you, because you're so good at doing it.

[@pihlaya4475]

Just bought "The Wanderer's Havamal" -kindle book as a birthday present for myself:) I chose your (Jackson Crawford) edition, because of it's superior style of translation (original text, Old Norse, with modern English next each other). Also extensive introduction with reading/interpretation instructions, if you will, is much appreciated.

[@Hin_Håle]

Another super interesting topic, thank you! I don't think you have to worry about us not finding your videos interesting, I for one always do. I just wish that I was able to support your work on patreon. But alas, there's no one so poor as the devil.

[@zacharybatten]

Is that the Heckler and Koch logo on your jacket? If so that's pretty cool!

[@Son-of-Tyr]

A lot of people don't realize that the name England comes from the Angles, who were, in fact, Danes. They were one of the primary groups that migrated to England in the 5th and 6th centuries, along with the Saxons and Jutes(Jutes were also Danes). The Angle people were from an area in southern Denmark called Angln. The name England comes from 'Angle-Land', land of the Angles.

[@rivereering9592]

They were not in fact Danes. At least, no closer to being Danes than Saxons were to being Angles. The Danish tribes came from southern Sweden. Angles and Jutes came from various places in modern day Denmark.

[@Son-of-Tyr]

@@rivereering9592 Listen to what you're saying. Danes didn't come from Denmark. Really? Danes, Jutes and Angles all came from Denmark. Scania, which is part of modern day southern Sweden, used to be part of Denmark. But Danes absolutely came from Denmark.

[@rivereering9592]

But that's not what you said. You said they are all Danes cause they came from Denmark. They aren't Danes. Danes are Danes. Angles and Jutes are not Danes. Lol

[@Son-of-Tyr]

@@rivereering9592 you obviously aren't getting what I said. They are all from Denmark, meaning they are all Danes in a geographical sense. And if you get down to it, they're also incredibly similar culturally. Also, you're saying Danes didn't come from Denmark so why am I arguing with you about this? Later

[@rivereering9592]

I couldn't tell that's what you meant, was just reading what you typed. "Dane" in this historical sense, is an ethnicity. The Danish tribes came from a place that is modern day Sweden. So if the Angles are basically Danes cause of where they came from, then the Danes are Swedes, and that just doesn't make sense.

[@moinasandon5812]

Another great video! Thanks :) It's interesting to hear parts of English history through the eyes of other cultures (eg, no written accounts, indicating a lack of care about those that weren't settled in their original native countries, or if those that were executed were the trouble makers then a *well, they had it coming, moving on!!! * attitude may account for that! Amongst other things.) England has a bad habit of actively teaching in school the bits of history that make us look good, and skimming/skipping over the nastier aspects. (I only learned about the massacre from a history buff friend of mine, rather than in school). You always bring balanced and insightful information to the table, so thankyou!

[@pedestrian0101]

Thank you good sir. I actually hadn't heard of this.

[@Islandicus]

Jackson, það er enginn annar eins og þú. Þú ert einstakur. Þakka þér fyrir allar rannsóknir þínar. Þetta er heillandi.

[@brettmeldahl4456]

Thanks!

[@harryrabbit2870]

Well done, Doc! This was really interesting and enjoyable. Many thanks.

[@irronthagr8113]

Thats crazy, I just watched either a movie or show based on St Brice Day Massacre. It was a few weeks ago I just saw that.

[@clemmiesemler8259]

ur videos r honestly so slay they never fail to interest / entertain me so ty for this one

[@lakrids-pibe]

This is the bones of a person who ate a lot of fish. Mmmmmmm pickled herring.

[@TehOak]

Fantastic video. Thank you.

[@ratboy_]

History is cool to learn about :) Great video.

[@ldr7125]

I’m glad you did make a video on this topic, even if it’s not usually your thing. It’s nice for something to be actually factual rather than a video made by a clearly biased neo-Norse fanatic. If we argued over every massacre in history and who was in the right (people always forget morals and laws were different back then) … we would never get anything done!

[@arshputz]

It's still snowing up there in April ? Or was it filmed beforehand a while ago?

[@paulaunger3061]

Really enjoyed this 'ramble' :)

[@MichaelMikeTheRussianBot]

"Ramble" away ! Please. :)

[@aesir1ases64]

Great video!

[@Aliskandr]

‘Love to hear you ramble while I bumble around🤓

[@kimfleury]

People want to be the heros in their own stories. People need dragons to slay. If they don't see any dragons ready at hand, they might make them up.

[@paulroese1376]

i had read some historians now believe the attacks against the Viking population by native folks was more a popular matter of ethnic cleansing than a government policy. the people had just had enough of Viking attacks and sought to exterminate Viking enclaves. this kind of thing has happened down the ages. i doubt the St. Brice's Day Massacre was the only time this happened. given the repeated aggression by the Vikings/Norse it be odd if the victims of the centuries of attacks didn't want to exterminate all the invaders. the idea that the natives wouldn't know who the invaders were is absurd. the damage the Vikings had inflicted on England had to leave scars and trauma.

[@PrimeGabe]

Nice hat

[@carlJoa]

very interesting. greetings from Norway:)

[@Hoplopfheil]

I like your jacket.

[@Eulemunin]

Context makes angry people seem silly.

[@jasondumb5706]

Nice video, I wonder if the harrowing of the north a few decades later is also related to English Norse conflict

[@Roikat]

Yes. William was an Yngling descendant who was contemptuous of his relatives who had not lived in France, and considered them inferior due to their relative lack of “civilizing” French influence.

[@jwsmith1470]

@16:10 Maybe it's just me... but Old English reminds me quite a bit of what Dutch "sounds" like.

[@michaelwhite8031]

As someone who's DNA points to one of the Norsemen massacred, l find this very interesting.

[@jamesfforthemasses]

I'm sure there are some nutters out there looking for vengeance but most modern pagans just want the story clarified, and the line between "savage" and "civilised christian" more accurately drawn. These lines are still frequently poorly defined between modern groups (many of them not pagan), making a redress not just a grudge or point of pride, but the possible salvation, and fair reperesentation of many people still treated inhumanely across the world.

[@kimfleury]

"... Fair representation of many people still treated inhumanely across the world." You mean Christians? If you're advocating against persecution of _anyone_ for religious reasons, I'm wholeheartedly onboard with that. Singling out anyone for what their ancestors in religion did is itself bonkers.

[@jamesfforthemasses]

@@kimfleury I mean Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and indeed Pagans. I'm totally not into the sins of our ancestors being used as hate fuel for today. I'm with Ghandi on that, "an eye for an eye, and we'll all be blind". There are prevalent attitudes, however, that need reassessed in my opinion. Our sugar coated histories make saints and heroes of butchers and ethnic cleansers, and these gleaming histories help make part of the collective understanding that allow us to continue on a similar vain. Considering other opinions not so valid, and other lives not quite so precious. Acknowledging the attrocities of early christians (as well as other cultures) and the amount of knowledge that we lost to them would go a long way to protecting ideologies, cultures, and indeed people today. Thinking about it, I'm not sure that the above video advocates forgiving attitudes. There is a hint at other more recent attrocities more deserving, and maybe that got my heckles up. In short, yes christians did bad stuff, yes pagans did too. They both did good too, and the muddy truth serves us all better, in my opinion. That applies to modern history for me too. I truly admire the work of Jackson Crawford immensely, but I sometimes think that he pushes too hard against what he feels is wrong, and ends in an equally abrasive (and sometimes innacurate) stance.

[@PalleRasmussen]

There were still pagans in Denmark in the first half of the 11th century, but they were rare. Toke Trylle, the founder of the Hvide Clan and Absalon's grandfather (great-grandfather, I cannot recall) was one. And a magnate burial from the time is also pagan. Christianity took time to take hold.

[@victorXhearts]

Have you watched vikings Valhalla? Did u like it?

[@melissahdawn]

The thing that always confused me about the story is that if they were in Christian a church, it would have been Holy (meaning hallowed and sacred) and both factions would have been a huge deal, but it was only known about after much research. If it really happened culture would have demand retribution, no? or cause doubt not conversion, which there is not much evidence of that... But, maybe that is why it is not mentioned in sagas and chronicles because it could have been like heresay to write or remember it. Eh, not likely, though.... I am going to stop right there.

[@RNFLACKOratshobo]

Æthelred hired thugs to carry out these acts of terrorism, and those thugs could care less about a church as long as they got paid.

[@bjarnitryggvason7866]

Well, Sveinn tjúguskegg (Sweyn Forkbeard) lost his sister in the massacre and he raided England in retribution (and for Danegeld) every year until he conquered the place in 1013 so vengeance was satisfied I'd say.

[@melissahdawn]

@@bjarnitryggvason7866 well, that is definitely congruent with the recent popular account, and the way history tells it, and who is to say if it is accurate, or if it matters anymore. I only wonder why it is not a widely recited story...um as I typed that I thought, hmm maybe it is....and that is why I like to watch these videos. They remind me not to just accept the first or best told story I hear. In the U.S. we do not hear much about this story.... But, it is really really brutal. Meanwhile, our image of the English is that they are soo polite and proper. It's not a very proper thing to do to murder people in a church... (as I reread my comment, I remembered the story about how a ship captain pretended to be dead and then jumped up and killed all who attended his funeral) but if the victor writes the history... Oh, whatever.... Like you said, thugs aren't a good representation of common folk, as Jackson stated those murdered were (as evidence suggests) not typical Danelaw folk either.

[@melissahdawn]

@@mikilr well said! 👍

[@PalleRasmussen]

Another Danish King; Knud Svendsøn (son of Sven Estridsen), became Knud d. Hellige (the Holy), as he was killed with his hird and brother Benedict in Skt. Alban's Church in Odense, after having fled from northern Jutland because all his magnates had risen against him due to his slow preparations to join the waiting Leding to go and take England back in 1086.

[@mattd8725]

What I don't get when you talk about the Anglo-Saxons and "Danes" speaking a mutually understandable language is that the Anglo-Saxon "free men" were still probably outnumbered by the enslaved population held over from Roman Briton. Welsh and old Norse are not mutually understandable. So in the example of California would it not be more like the president commanding an extermination of all the people living in mansions in California?

[@aronjanssonnordberg307]

I think the fact that the Norse and English were so closely related ethnically, linguistically and culturally mattered less than the religious differences. Back then, the fact that these people were pagans in their lands might offend them more than anything they had in common.

[@h3o253]

Saxons did nothing wrong.

[@jeddaniels2283]

Wulfstan was a religious end of day, preacher. We still see them today. Scrapping the barrel sadly. He believed in the second coming, the end of times. If you did not abye, too thee faith, you were made subject to slanderous claims against you. Oh and hell. Gildas was the same. For Eastern and northern England to start practicing the old religion with the old germanic style of bondage. if a crime was committed is nothing extraordinary. I was taught not to take religious accounts that seriously because of the bias. And with this end of timer. I sadly don't.

[@ivanboston8582]

I have an interest in this event since I found out my brother and I are related to several of the bodies recovered from the Oxford dig site: Will not post the link to the site so this is not seen as an advertisement for it, but there is one where you can upload your DNA profile and they will compare it to an archaogenetic database to see if you are related to any of the bodies. Each of them is listed by their ID code assigned to them by the archaeologists that did the testing and written up in their papers. Between my brother and I we are related to V2P, V3P, V4P, V6P, V7P and V10P from the Oxford site. One of the other things you can do is compare any of the profiles that you match with by running them through the database to see who they match with in order to triangulate how you are related to them and build out a family tree. A sizable number of the Oxford remains are related to each other, I found out a few months before the story broke about one of them being related very closely to a body from a site in Denmark, after that story broke I started to take the site a LOT more seriously! As I said a sizable number of them are some flavor of cousin to each other, sizable chunks of shared DNA along multiple chromosomes; and about four of them are related to Gleb Svyatoslavich Prince of Novgorod whose DNA profile was/is publicly available and part of their database. I thought you might find that of some interest Dr. Crawford. EDIT... it is also interesting that all of the aforementioned are related to one or two Greenlanders