Jewish History 1301-1400

Expulsion of the Jews

Jan 21, 1306

King Philip VI of France originally welcomed the Jews fleeing from surrounding areas that had expelled them. Then in 1306, Philip changed his mind and ordered the Jews to leave his realm. With no other choice, the Jews fled northeast to Flanders, east to Provence, or southwest to the Iberian peninsula. This included Jews who were expelled from England. (Levy)

How Nice...

Jul 28, 1315

King Louis X allowed Jews to re-enter France, but for a price. They had to pay an admission charge to get back into their homeland. They were not allowed to borrow or even loan money from people to pay for their admission back in. The ones who bought their admission and got back into France wore forced to wear a yellow badge. This symbolized them as a Jew and people tended to treat them differently than normal people. (Levy)

So Much for a Symbol of Kindness

Jun 18, 1321

Jews in Rome sent a bribe of twenty thousand ducats, about sixteen million modern U.S. dollars, to the pope to be allowed to stay in Rome. This worked and they were allowed to stay, but the fact that the pope found it justifiable to banish Jews gace other countries/kings an excuse to do the same all over Europe. (Gaetz)

The Isle of Jews

Aug 21, 1321

In Chinon, France the 160 Jewsin the town were burnt at the stake due to a allegation that they had been involved with a group of lepers that poisoned christian wells, despite no actual proof. The island became know as Île aux Juifs. This event is significant becasue the blaming of the Jews legitamized future claims that the Jews were responsible for the Black Plague. (Blumenkranz)

We Need Money, Steal From the Jews!

Mar 5, 1328

After Charles the IV passed away, Pedro Olligoyen, brother of Phillip the IV of France, succeeded him. During this time there was also an economic collapse because of war, bad weather conditions and the Black Death. Pedro blamed the Jews for all of their problems and spurred an attack on them in an effort to regain lost funds. There were six thousand victims and no homes were left standing. (Moret)

Send Me Your Masses

Oct 9, 1334

King Casimir reasserted the policies set by Boleslav the Forgotten(Deleted from the record of Monarchs) so to encourage Jews to move East into Poland and protect them. Jews had lived in Poland before Casimirs reign, but it was guaranteed protection as opposed to being persecuted in Germany or France. This allowed many of the refugees from the English expulsion to find a permanent home. (Birnbaum)

The Few Against the Many

Sep 26, 1348

Pope Clement VI issued a letter that went against the maleficent intent on the Jews. The entirety of Europe was suffering the plague as well as the Jewish population. Other rulers eventually made similar announcements, but none made a difference. While these proclemations led to little significant change, they laid the groundwork for future leaders, such as pope Boniface IX, who based latter legislation on these proclemations to accomplish real change. (Bimbaum)

Hitler Wasn't the First

Jan 1, 1350

Pedro of Castile or Pedro “the Cruel” was a great ally to the Jews as he protected them from persecution and improved their quality of life. However, this caused a negative effect and caught the attention of his enemies. His half brother Henry II overthrew him and forced Jewish families to wear a Yellow Badge. This is a symbol of just how deep rooted the hatred of Jews was in Europe, Even the simple harboring of Jews was justification for war. The stars also shows how Jews were seperated.(Spain)

When in Doubt, Blame the Jews!

Dec 31, 1350

By the time the Black Death had swept across Europe, more than twenty million had already perished, which was a third of the total population. The Jewish population was affected as well, however they were singled out by church leaders and accused of poisoning wells and conspiring against Christendom. This blame led to many violent actions against the Jews, as well as justification for future accusations and legal action. (Internet)

A House Divided

Jan 1, 1354

In response to the isolated conflicts caused by the Jews supposed involvement in the Black Plague, the Jews of Aragon created the Ordinance of the Jews of the Crown of Aragon. This document served to try and unite the autonomous Jewish communities to appeal to both crown and papal authority to protect themselves from any broad scale violent or legal actions. (Spain)

Behind Every Strong Man

Jan 1, 1355

Esterke was a Jewish woman living in Poland during the reign of Casmir III. She baecame his lover and bore him two sons who were raised as christians and an unspecified number of daughters. While they were together Esterke was reported to have a major impact on the formation of Jew favoring laws, allowing Poland to become the haven it was for the Jews during this time period. (Blumenkranz)

Who Do We Know that has Money?

Sep 19, 1356

Following a devastating battle at Poitiers during the Hundred Years War, Fance allowed Jews back into their lands so that they could borrow money from them. (Bauer)

The Sins of the Father

Jan 1, 1364

During his reign, the Jews life became somewhat less difficult. He lessened the strict financial legislation that inhibited Jewish businessmen, He also took away some of the power of loval clergy that were threatening the Jews. He also created legislation that allowed proper punishment for those who mistreated the Jews. He did a lot to improve the overall quality of life for the jews who had been burdened by Charles' predecessors. (Gaetz)

Brussels Sprouts a Conflict

May 22, 1370

Not all major conflicts with the jews were started by rulers or over money. On this date in Brussels, Belgium some men killed a local wealthy Jew. To cover their crime they claimed he had defiled the christian's communion. They then escaped in the following chaos that left hundreds of Jews dead and the rest banished. (Birnbaum)

Freedom in the South

Jan 1, 1376

Following the Black Plague, which the Jewish people were blamed for, many of the Jews fled from England southward, traveling through Hungary down to Greece. In Greece they were absorbed into the Sephardic community. This is where the “Sephardic Jews” came from, these Jews were allowed to keep certain Jewish customs. (Birnbaum)

How Much is a Life Worth?

Mar 2, 1382

These riots were very similar to the previous riots about taxes two years prior. Sixteen Jews were killed in this riot. The riot broke out because the Jews were accused of being accomplices in the over taxation of the people. Many nobles instigated these riots to try and relieve some of the debt that they owed Jewish money lenders through looting Jewish homes and shops.(Christian)

There goes all our money...

Jan 1, 1385

A meeting of the cities that were a part of the Swabian League agreed that a fourth of all their debt to the Jews did not have to be paid off, and the remaining debt would go to the cities instead of the Jews. This refelcted a larger problem throughout Europe as nobles and kings created laws that cheated Jews out of their money/possessions. They didn't want to have to pay and the Jews through years of persecution were unable to form an effective resistance. (Blumenkranz)

Finally Some Major Relief

Jul 2, 1389

After many years of justifiable torment from the papacy, pope Boniface IX banned the harming of Jews, the decration of their burial grounds, and the forced conversions. This did not end the ill treatment of Jews, but did take away the excuse for Euopean rulers that the pope allowed the mistreatement of Jews. (Birnbaum)

Not Again

Sep 17, 1394

King Charles VI began to slowly push Jews out of France as early as 1321, ultimately kicking them all out in 1394. Basically all the Jews who paid to get back into the counrty had to leave once again. Most of these were the Jews who had sought refuge in France after being kicked out of England and other countries in the first place. (Levy)

Further Freedom in the South

Jul 27, 1400

The king offered the Jews a charter that welcomed them. It would give them economic stability by providing economic equality. This was a mojor victory because all over Europe Jews were being scammed out of money even where they were allowed to live. (Bauer)