1.2) jews in the middle ages Flashcards
what is anti-semitism?
prejudice and discrimination against jewish people
why were jewish people first invited to settle in britain? and by who?
- jewish people were first invited by king william to organise his finances and lend them money (1070s) because they were literate and he required their skills
- they were the only ones who could do this as christians were told that it was a sin to lend money to gain interest
- kings and bishops wanted to borrow money to build castles and cathedrals
where did the jewish people in the middle ages settle?
they settled in towns and lived in small communities called ‘jewries’ and were a religious minority
how were jews in the middle ages treated?
- at first, jews were allowed to trade freely as part of the charter of liberties, which allowed them access to castles if they were in danger - but they had to pay higher taxes in return. this meant they had to charge higher interests
- they were banned from many occupations that weren’t money lenders because people needed them
what was the charter of liberties?
allowed them access to castles if they were in danger but they had to pay higher taxes in return
why did views towards jews change and when?
- 1095 - instigated by the pope, christians began to fight the crusades with the aim of expelling jerusalem’s muslim inhabitants. therefore, both muslims and jews were labelled as non-believers
- due to higher interest rates, many christians were convinced that the jews were on the side of the norman rulers (whom they hated)
what was the blood libel and when did it come about?
- 1144
- good friday 1144, a young boy was found dead. the local priest and the boy’s family accused the city’s jews of the murder
why did persecution of jewish people increase in the 12/13th centuries?
- it was encouraged by people in the government and those in the church probably because they didn’t want to pay back the money they had borrowed
- they emphasised the role of jews in the death of jesus <- religious anti-semitism
what happened to a group of jewish leaders in 1189? and what led to it?
- jewish leaders who came to the coronation of king richard were stripped, beaten, chased and killed
- vicious mobs ran through the jewish quarter in london and 30 were killed
- this happened because of the increasing religious hysteria, debt and the view that jews were the ‘enemy’
what happened to jews in york in 1190?
- barons didn’t want to pay back their debt so they stirred up anti-semitic feeling so all the jewish people went to castles (their places of safety)
- a mob soon surrounded them holding swords and torches
- they were told to come out and convert to christianity or be burnt alive
- those who surrendered were murdered and the rest committed mass suicide
how did the persecution of jews worsen over the course of the 13th century?
- 1210 - jewish property seized, killing and torture of those who resisted
- 1218 - made to wear distinctive clothing
- 1230s - expelled from towns and left with no belongings
- 1265 - italian bankers took over lending money ,,, jewish money lenders ousted
when was the ‘new blood libel’ and what was its effect?
- 1255 - when the body of a boy was found in a well. all jews were accused of planning a ritual murder
- henry III arrested 40 jews and hung those who protested, taking their property
what was the statute of jewry and when was it introduced?
- 1275 - law made by edward I meaning that jews were not allowed to collect interest
- many jewish people became extremely poor
when were all jews expelled from england?
1290
who was thomas of monmouth? and what did he accuse all jewish people of doing?
- thomas of monmouth wrote a book that completely attacked jews and claimed that somebody with ‘insider knowledge’ had told them that the jews were planning to muder a christian child every good friday to commemorate the crucifixion of jesus
- historians suggest he did this to boost the reputation of his monastry. he was encouraged by the church, through the use of propaganda.
- the rumour spread throughout europe and was further spread by the government
