Jewish History and Persecution 1100-1200

William the Conqueror provides sanctuary

Dec 25, 1066

William the Conqueror encourages Jewish merchants and artisans to relocate to England. Many came from France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, seeking a haven from anti-Semitism.

Reign of Henry I

Jan 1, 1100

Henry I allowed the Jewish freer settlement as a way to increase revenues.

Jews are not fully protected by the Crown

Jan 1, 1130

A Jew is charged with killing a sick man. All Jewish are fined 2,000 pounds for this alleged action.

The reign of Stephen

Jan 1, 1135

The war between Matilda (Daughter of Henry I) and her cousin Stephen (grandson of William the Conquerer) affected the Jewish greatly. Stephen eliminated all Christian debts to Jews. Rather, they payed their debts to him.
(1135-1154)

The Civil War

Jan 1, 1141

Jews are forced to pay ransom to both Matilda and Stephen's forces, or else their houses would be burned.

Jewish resentment

Mar 25, 1144

The Jewish are accused of preforming "blood libels," the ritualistic murder of children. Combined with the rumor of Jews allegedly killing Jesus, England became hostile. "As the public mood turned against Jews, Edward I subjected them to a special tax and...considered forcing them to wear yellow patches."

Pope Eugenius III

Jan 25, 1145

The Pope offered to cleanse all debts owed to Jews to all who would join the crusade.

Jewish under Henry II

Jan 1, 1154

Henry II protected the Jews, however, he made the Jews lend large sums of money to build cathedrals and invest into church institutions. This made no difference in church popularity.
(1154-1184)

Jews begin leaving England

Jan 1, 1168

Frederick Barbarossa complained to Henry II that Jews were leaving his territory. Henry forced the richer Jews to return to Germany, and the rest payed a fine of 5000 marks if they wished to remain in England.

Assize of Arms

Jan 1, 1181

Henry orders the Jewish have their weapons taken on the grounds that the king would be enough protection. They had little to protect themselves with when riots break out ten years later.

Saladin Tax

Jan 2, 1186

Jews were taxed 10,000 marks or 25% of their income and personal property worth, while Christian (non-Crusaders) were taxed 10% of their property alone.

Richard the Lionheart

Sep 3, 1189

At Richard's coronation, Baldwin, the archbishop of Canterbury, convinced him to refuse all gifts from the Jewish and expel them out of the palace. The crowds interpreted this as him favoring the persecution of Jews. The next day, a pogrom against them took place. Richard did not punish the rioters too severely, which consequently created more.

The third crusade

Sep 4, 1189

England had never truly taken part in the first two crusades, so they joined forces with France and Germany to recapture Jerusalem. Frederick Barbarossa accidentally drown, Phillip II gave up, and Richard only captured Acre and Jaffa. The Jews of England were the only victims.

Jewish lifestyle

Jan 1, 1190

The Jewish population in England numbered approximately 2,500 Jews. Until this time they enjoyed relative freedom of movement, education, and the right to own real estate as compared to the other Jews on the continent.

Massacre in York

Mar 16, 1190

Barons indebted to Jews, clergymen and those envious of Jewish wealth conspired to kill the Jews of York. They burned several houses and approximately 150 residents fled to the royal castle in York. Led by Richard Malebys, a noble indebted to the Jews, the mob besieged the castle. The Jews had little rations and many killed themselves. On March 16, the citadel was captured and those Jews left alive were murdered. The mob then stole the records of debts to Jews from a nearby cathedral

Richard defends Jewish

Mar 22, 1190

Angered by riots and the loss of crown property, Kind Richard renewed the charter issued by Henry II. His chancellor heavily fined the Pudsey and Percy families (mainly involved with the 1190 pogrom in York).

Palm Sunday

Apr 4, 1190

Fifty-seven Jews were killed in a massacre. Shortly after, the local abbot, Samson, whose abbey was coincidentally in debt to Jewish money lenders, obtained permission to expel all the Jewish residents of the town.

Abbey of St. Edmunds

May 5, 1190

A dispute broke out between William the Sacristan (Sexton) of the Abbey and his associate Samson. While townspeople and and Jews sided with William, Samson came to power and order the Jews be put under his power. When they refused, they were expelled.

Taxation

Jan 1, 1194

An Exchequer of the Jews is established. The Crown can now arbitrarily collect taxes on the recorded Jewish holdings and revenue.

Torah

Mar 26, 1195

Mishneh Torah is published