DID YOU KNOW...? The original Saxon settlement of Bicester was apparently destroyed during a Viking raid in 912 AD!
DID YOU KNOW...? The original Saxon settlement of Bicester was apparently destroyed during a Viking raid in 912 AD! The original Saxon settlement of Bicester was apparently destroyed during a Viking raid in 912 AD! This was mentioned in the ancient documents known as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. This raid would have occurred during a very turbulent time in our nation's history, amidst a lot of tension between the native Saxons and invading Danes. On 13th November 1002, King Ethelred the Unready ordered the massacre of all Danish men, women and children living in England. This date became known as the St Brice's Day Massacre. Many Danes in Oxford sought sanctuary in the Priory there, but were burned to death by English forces. Among the victims was Gunhilde - sister of King Sweyn Forkbeard, a Dane who would go on to reign as King of both England and Denmark just 9 years later. Gunhilde's husband, Pallig, and their child were also killed during the massacre. King Ethelred orde...