Jewish History

Black Death

Jan 1, 1401

Not even ten Jewish people were left because the Black Death had taken the lives of almost all Jews in England. This mixed with the exile of the race resulted in almost a complete irradication in the country during this time period.

Jewish History

Period: Jan 1, 1401 to Dec 31, 1500

Anti-jewish Laws.

Jan 1, 1412

Anti-jewish laws start showing up in 1412, in northern Spain. Jews live out in the public, but are segregated and forced to identify themselves. This is the beginning of the end of life for Jews in Spain. Over the next 80 years, 250,000 Jews will leave Spain. They have to end up going to England in the end because of the massive emigration movement. But they will still have to return to England in secrecy.

Convert Debate.

Jan 1, 1413

Starting in 1413, the leaders of the Jewish community and the leaders of the Catholics had a 3 year debate over the forced conversion of Jews to Catholic in Spain. If the Jews won, they could stay Jewish, but if the chritians won, the Jews had to change. It resulted in Jews being hounded into converting. And it was clear that the Jewish community would not last in Spain. The Jews were still in the public, but the persecution was about to begin, this results in the escape back to England.

Edict of Benedict XIII

May 11, 1415

Benedict XIII banned the study of the Talmud (central text of Rabbinic Judaism), instituted Christian sermons, and tried to restrict Jewish life completely.

Enactment of Sumptuary Laws

Jan 1, 1432

Sumptuary Laws regulated Jewish life. Jews were told what to wear, how they could marry, what they could serve at weddings, etc. These Laws were often enforced throughout Europe among Christians, making social classes undistinguishable.

Rabbi Don Isaac Abravanel

Jan 1, 1437

Abravanel (called Abarbanel) was a Jewish scholar and Bible commentor who committed himself to helping his fellow Jewish people. He tried to stop Ferdinand from expelling Jews, but in 1942, his plan was found out and he followed them into exile. He died in 1508.

Conversos revert back.

Jan 1, 1440

Jews that were forcibly converted to christianity start returning to their old Jewish heritage. These "conversos" were shunned by regular Jews, but not fully accepted by christians.

Blood Libels.

Mar 21, 1475

These are just one example of what Jews were blamed for in Europe. The controversial event of the murder of Simon of Trent was blamed on the Jewish community in Italy. These events happened all over Europe, including England. This one was just the most famous. It was said that Jews kidnapped and killed Christian children to use their blood in Jewish rituals. Then were forced to confess under torture. Jews could still live in the open, but were continually blamed for events like this blood libel.

Investigating Conversos

Jan 1, 1477

The Queen of Spain visits the city of Seville, where she hears the sermon of Alonso de Hojeda, who claimed to have found a group of Juadizing conversos. The previously Jewish people that converted to Catholic for protection. This aqusation causes her to launch an investigation, which results in the confirmation of Juadizm. Since the country wants complete religious conformity, this is not welcomed. The country then starts planning ways to stop the spread of Jews. So the Jews lived in hiding.

Spanish Inquisition

Jan 1, 1478

The formation of the Spanish Inquisiton was a campaign to find, interrogate, and punish "secret" Jews. Spain fears that the previously converted Jews are trying to change christianity. Spain only accepted christianity as a religion, anything outside of that was not allowed in the country. So Jews had to either convert or pretend to convert and hide who they are. This eventually lead to them returning to England.

Attack in France

Apr 8, 1484

Town monks led local farmers to attack the Jewish sections of Arles, France. A large number of people were killed, and 50 men were forced to accept Christianity. The Jews that used to live in England were forced to move to these countries after the exile, where they faced more poor treatment like this.

Auto Da Fe

Feb 12, 1486

In Toledo, Spain, Jewish people were accused of backsliding from their Christian faith. As an Auto Da Fe (Act of Faith), Jewish people were forced to recant, fined one fifth of their property, and permanently forbidden to wear decent clothes or hold public office.

Expulsion from Spain and Portugal.

Mar 31, 1492

Jews are officially expelled from Spain and are given four months to sell their things and escape the country. They begin to sneak back into England posed as Spanish merchants. Since they were still "expelled" from England, they had to hide who they were in order to survive. It was hard on them to have to leave their homes and still feel unwelcome no matter where they went.

Sicily Expulsion.

Jan 12, 1493

Over 30,000 Jews were forced to either convert or leave the Island. During the 1200s they were regular citizens, but as time went on they started to lose their rights. So by the end of the 1400s they were segregated and forced out. Jews were living in the open, but unwelcomed. So it was time to sneak back into England.

Abraham Zacuto

Jan 1, 1497

Was one of the few Jews that had a sucessful and good life. He became a rabbi, and studied math and astronomy, and was the famous author of "Sefer Hayuhasin," the first real Jewish chronicle. His nobility status may have saved him from a lot of hardship, but he still kept his faith.