Language:
English
Year of publication:
1990
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Historical Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
31 (1990) 83-109
Keywords:
Jews History Middle Ages, 500-1500
Abstract:
Based on a lecture delivered on 18 March 1990, at a study day organized by the Zalman Shazar Center to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the expulsion of the Jews from England. From examination of contemporary documents, describes coinage offenses (particularly coin-clipping and counterfeiting) prevalent in 13th-century England. From 1276 the records show a significant number of charges brought against Jews. In November 1278, 600 Jews were imprisoned in the Tower - probably all the heads of households from all over England. The records of their trials are lost, but chronicles of the time indicate that ca. 280 Jews were hanged in London in 1279, and their goods and chattels were forfeit to the king (Edward I). Other Jews forfeited goods and chattels as well, or paid fines. The rabble attacked Jews and Jewish property in the wake of these trials. Shows that although Christian offenders outnumbered Jews, Jews suffered the death penalty at a much higher ratio. Also, three-quarters of the Christians could get off with paying a fine, while only one-third of the Jews were allowed to do so.
Note:
A shorter Hebrew version appeared in "Gerush ve-Shiva", 1993.
URL:
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