3 From the Norman Conquest (1066) to Expulsion (1290) DATE EVENT COMMENTS c.1068 First cemetery1 The first burial place allowed to Jews in England was in Cripplegate, in London. It was more than 100 years before they could bury their dead elsewhere and thus persons dying outside London had to be transported there. Further reading: Honeybourne. 1079 Jews try to It seems that five Jews attempted to come to Ireland come to but, despite bearing gifts for the King of Munster, Ireland2 were repulsed. c.1093 Disputation Much anti-Jewish disputational literature was written between a in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. They were Christian generally written in the form of a dialogue between (Gilbert a Christian (the author) and a fictitious Jew and Crispin) and essentially dealt with matters that were important to a Jew3 Christians at that time, including what should be the relationship between Christians and Jews. One of the most important of such works was the Disputatio Judei et Christiani by Gilbert Crispin, who was Abbot of Westminster from 1085 to 1117. It is unusual in that it allows the Jew (who it is thought was a real person although what he actually said was presum- ably reworded by Crispin) a lot of space and includes a comprehensive Jewish critique of Christianity. R. Langham, The Jews in Britain © Raphael Langham 2005 8 The Jews in Britain William of Malmesbury mentions this disputation in his History of the Kings of England implying it was a real not a fictitious Jew. He writes: They were encouraged to dispute with our bishops, because the king had said – in jest, I suppose – that if they refuted the Christians by clear proofs and beat them, he would become a Jew himself. The contest was therefore held, to the great alarm of the bishops and clergy, who were filled with fear in their pious anxiety for the Christian faith. And from this dispute, at any rate, the Jews reaped nothing but confusion, although they have often boasted that they were beaten by party passion and not argument.4 Further reading: Abulafia and Evans (1986 and 1998) – see note 3. 12th First Charter of Some historians consider Henry I (1100–1135) to have Century Protection to issued a charter, but others are doubtful. However, we Jews in do know that in the twelfth century various compi- England5 lations were written recording the so-called laws of Edward the Confessor (1042–1066). Law 25 states: It should be known that all Jews, in whichever kingdom they may be, ought to be under the guardianship and protection of the liege king; nor can any one of them subject himself to any wealthy person without the license of the king, because the Jews themselves and all their possessions are the king’s. It is generally considered that this did not indicate the presence of Jews in England at the time of Edward the Confessor, but rather the position and status of the Jews at the time the laws were compiled. It is important since it is the earliest surviving source to refer to the legal status of the Jews in England. The date is unknown, but it is considered likely that it was written towards the end of the reign of Henry I or early in the reign of Stephen (1135–1154). Henry II (1154–1189) probably also granted a charter giving rights and privileges – see comments on the 1190 Charter from Richard I. March First ritual The Jews of Norwich were accused of the murder of a 1144 murder 12-year-old boy called William. His body was found 1066–1290: Norman Conquest to Expulsion 9 charge against in some woods on the Saturday before Easter Day, a Jews in the few days after the beginning of Passover. The accusa- medieval tion was of crucifixion, and a need for blood was period6 never mentioned. It was thus not a ‘blood libel’ in the strict sense of the words. In fact none of the ritual murder accusations in England included the drawing and use of blood. The Jews of Norwich were protected by the Sheriff who took them to the castle, where they remained until the danger passed. It is still disputed among historians as to what or who caused William’s death and what gave rise to the ritual murder accusation, the first anywhere in the Middle Ages.7 Further reading: Hillaby (1996); Jacobs (1897); Jessopp and James; Lipman (1967). c.1154 First Domus This was a home for Jewish converts to Christianity. Conversorum Robert Fitzharding and Robert, Earl of Gloucester, in England8 founded it in Bristol. A religious fraternity ran it, but there is no record of its success or otherwise. 1154 Henry II The Jews had prospered since they had immigrated to accedes to England, but the reign of Henry II was, despite the the throne9 introduction of tallages (taxes) on Jews, a particularly good one for them. Numbers and wealth increased and new communities were established. William of Newburgh wrote that Henry II: encouraged, more than was right, a nation perfidious and hostile to Christians, that is to say the Jews, on account of the great advantages which he received from their usuries: and to such a degree that they were insolent and stiff- necked towards Christians, and imposed many burdens upon them.10 1158 Ibn Ezra visits Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra was a famous biblical London11 commentator, philosopher and poet born in Spain. He travelled widely and visited many Jewish commu- nities in Europe and the Middle East. He stayed in London for a year or so. While in London he com- pleted two works – the Yesod Mora Vesod Torah and Iggeret HaShabbat. He must have experienced a London fog as in his commentary on Exodus X: 22 10 The Jews in Britain regarding the plague of darkness he states: Now there are times when a thick darkness comes over the Atlantic Ocean during which it is impossible for a person to distinguish between night and day. The aforementioned occasionally lasts for as long as five days. I myself have been there many times.12 There are some opinions that Ibn Ezra remained in England and was murdered in 1164 in a forest north of London.13 Robert Browning wrote a poem entitled Rabbi ben Ezra, which opens with the well known lines: Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.14 Further reading: Friedlander. March Ritual murder Jews were alleged to have taken the opportunity 1168 charge in during a gathering to celebrate a circumcision to seize Gloucester.15 a Christian boy named Harold, whom they tortured and threw into the River Severn. No serious conse- quences to the community as they were safe in royal protection. Further reading: Hillaby (1996). 1170 A Jew finances It would seem that Josce of Gloucester lent money to conquest of help finance the Strongbow expedition to Ireland. Ireland16 Henry II was fearful that Richard of Striguil would declare Ireland independent and he was opposed to the expedition, which was however successful. c.1170 A Christian Miryld (Muriel) the daughter of Sir Humfry de heiress Herlham converted to Judaism in order to marry converts17 Jurnet (Jacob) the son of Moses of Norwich. She was deprived of all her lands and her husband was forced to pay a very substantial fine. He couldn’t pay the fine and it was levied on the whole Jewish commu- nity. The couple were impoverished and left England for a few years, but it seems they returned to better circumstances and their children became well-known financiers. Some historians consider there is no real basis for this story.18 1066–1290: Norman Conquest to Expulsion 11 1177 More Jews of England had had to use the burial ground in cemeteries19 London, but in 1177 were permitted to purchase burial grounds outside any city where they lived. 1180 Jews These laws were reissued under the orders of Henry II. mentioned in They reiterate the law regarding Jews attributed (as Laws of above) to Edward the Confessor. The version given in Henry II20 Richard of Hoveden’s Chronicles, (see note) is virtually identical in wording to the earlier version. 1181 Jews forbidden An enactment was made regarding the keeping of to hold arms21 arms throughout England and it included a clause that a Jew could not ‘keep in his possession a hauberk or an “aubergel” ’ and they were required to sell or give away any they possessed. Thus Jews could not protect themselves. 10 Jun. Ritual murder Some Jews were accused of killing a child, Robert. 1181 accusation The monks of the local monastery, which was greatly in Bury in debt to Jews, encouraged the accusation. It was also St. Edmunds22 of help to one side in the leadership contest at the monastery between two monks, one of whom was considered pro-Jewish. The other won. There were no immediate adverse consequence to the Jews, but in 1190 many were massacred and the rest were expelled from the town as a result of pressure from the Abbot who had proved successful in the 1181 contest. Further reading: Hillaby (1996). c.1183 First Arch In about 1183 a Presbyter Judaeorum was appointed Presbyter of by royal command. It is disputed between historians the Jews as to whether he had secular or spiritual responsibili- appointed23 ties. Those holding the latter view consider the appointment as akin to a ‘chief rabbi’. The first (or possibly the second) incumbent was Jacob of London. When King John reappointed him in July 1199 the Charter stated: Be it known that we have granted and by our present charter confirmed to Jacob the Jew of London, Presbyter, supervision of all Jews throughout all England, to be had 12 The Jews in Britain and be held by him during his lifetime freely and quietly, honourably, and entirely, so that no one may presume to molest or trouble him in any way.