saint bartholomew's day massacre

noun French History.

1. a massacre of over 3000 Huguenots, instigated by Catherine de Médicis and begun in Paris on St. Bartholomew’s Day, August 24, 1572.

noun usually abbreviated to: St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

1. the murder of Huguenots in Paris that began on Aug 24, 1572 on the orders of Charles IX, acting under the influence of his mother Catherine de’ Medici