The Jews in Medieval England Flashcards
From where did Jews originally arrive in England, and why?
They came from Rouen, invited by William the Conqueror to make a trade network between France and England
What was the position of the Jews at that time?
‘wards of the king’
What were some things that caused resentment between the גוים and Jews of England?
The Jews being under the protection of the king, freedom on highways and from tolls, and physical protection in royal castles, and their different religion all caused jealousy from the Christians
How was the relationship between the Jews and the גוים?
They were under royal protection, which also allowed the king to put a special tax on them whenever he needed the money. The myth of the blood libel began in England around this time, and the Jews were used whenever a scapegoat was needed.
How did King Henry II and Richard I treat the Jews and why?
They protected them for financial gain.
How did Richard’s brother, King John treat them? (King Henry III also did). And how did Edward I?
They kept pushing them for more money. King Edward did too, while restricting them financially.
Why did the Jews leave?
There was less and less opportunity for Jews to earn a living. Religious feeling swept through England because of the Crusades. Preparing for his own Crusade, King Edward expelled the Jews from Gascony, and (with the help of a bribe of 100 000 pounds from the Christians) from all of England, allowed to take only what they could carry.
When they left England, where did the Jews go?
To Northern France (where they were expelled 18 years later)
