Jews in England: 1201-1300

Thirteenth Century

Period: Jan 1, 1201 to Dec 31, 1300

The Great Return

Apr 10, 1201

King John England passed a charter granting Jews their freedom in England. The charter stated that the Jews would be treated like they had been when King Henry was in power. Throughtout the charter it goes on to state different circumstances the Jews may encounter with the law and other faiths. Based on the charter, it seems as though King John was trying to treat Jews fairly (Halsal). (Liverpool History Animation).

Spike the men!

Jan 1, 1215

The catholic church required all Jewish men to wear spikey hats, to make them easily identified and distinguished. This put the Jews to shame and outcasted them from society (National Archives). (National Archives)

Identify Yourself

Jan 1, 1216

Date is estimated because the only date given is, 1216. With the accession of Henry III. the position of the Jews became somewhat easier, but only for a short time. Innocent III. had in the preceding year caused the Lateran Council to pass the law enforcing the Badge upon the Jews (Smitha). (Mathis).

The New York of England

Jan 1, 1216

Jews are allowed back into York to live as directed by King Henry III. Demonstes the end of a prior prejudice by the people and ruler of York. (Jewish Gen). (Guakartifact).

Home Sweet Home

Jan 1, 1232

The Domus Conversorum was founded to provide a home and free maintenance for Jews converted to Christianity. Society was bribing Jews to convert which emphasises semitism and reflects on the values of the Jews and Christians (Jewish Enclyclopedia). (ladysilver2267).

Newcastle Old Problems

Jan 1, 1234

The Jews were expelled from Newcastle. This prejudice against them forced many jews to find new homes once again (Jewish Gen). (Standley).

These Are Ours Now...

Jan 1, 1236

Pope Gregory ordered that church leaders in England, France, Portugal and Spain confiscate Jewish books on the first Saturday of Lent (B.A. Robinson). Pic : (TCJewFolk)

Popping tags or Clipping coins

Jan 1, 1242

In 1242, Mosse Mokke, a jew who worked for cheif Jewish money-lender Isaac fil Jurnet was executed for clipping coins. This significance shows that the law in this case applied to jews the same as it did everyone else. Clippin coins is punishable by death (National Archives). (Grifter Rec).

Jews required to split up

Jan 1, 1253

Jews in England are forbidden to live in towns that do not already have a Jewish comununity (Smitha).
(Carbó)

Let Us Out!!

Jan 1, 1255

Jews volunteered to leave England. The request was turned down by King Henry III who considered the Jews royal property (Schoenberg). (Wikipedia).

Drowning in Hate

Jan 1, 1255

A boy drowns in a Jewish cesspool. Some Christians believed he was killed in a Jewish ritual. One hundred jews were killed as a result (Smitha).
(Jenly)

Quick, Hide!

Jan 1, 1262

During the war in 1262, Jews were attacked in many different places just for being Jewish. In London, 1,500 were killed. There was a large antisemetic feeling all around England (Perednik). (Encyclopedia Judacia).

Because You're You

Jan 1, 1263

From this year until 1266 there were multiple Jewish communities were ransacked and inhabitants killed (Schoenberg).
(Wikimedia)

Privileges granted

Jan 1, 1264

Grand Duke Boleslaw the Pious granted the Jews of Poland an extensive charter of privileges. The charter allowed Jews to engage in commerce, trades, and professions that had been prohibited, defended their property rights, and permitted Jewish communities to have their own court systems (Roth). (Szyk).

Royal Restriction

Jan 1, 1275

Estimated date: 1275
Jews were forbidden to lend on usury, but could engage in commerce and handicraft. They could even own farms for no more than ten years. Difficulty establishing income through these means led to theft (Jewish Encyclopedia). There was a prejudice against the jews.
(Wikipedia)

Welcome to the Cage

Jan 1, 1278

Due to the aftermath of the Statutum de Judaismo, all of the Jews in England were imprisoned by this year or joined the Domus Conversorum (Jewish Encyclopedia).
(Gil)

You Can't Hide!

Jan 1, 1279

All Jews were arrested for debasing the coin of realm. There was a prejudice against jews and it was assumed they were all guilty (Perednik). (Kadish).

So Long, Suckers!

Jan 1, 1290

Jews were expelled from all of England. They all had to find new home. This signifies the antisemitism and prejudice as well as the power the Christians of England had. (Jewish Gen). (Keller).