Anti-Semitism in Medieval Anti-Semitism in Medieval EuropeEurope

Legal StatusLegal Status Largest non-Christian Largest non-Christian

minority in Europeminority in Europe One step above hereticsOne step above heretics Received protection from Received protection from

kingskings Church or “Canon” law Church or “Canon” law

forbade forced conversionforbade forced conversion In Mediterranean Europe In Mediterranean Europe

(especially Italy) Jews (especially Italy) Jews tended to live in walled-in tended to live in walled-in “Jewish Quarter” – Often “Jewish Quarter” – Often did so by choicedid so by choice

Treatment of Jews 1000-Treatment of Jews 1000-13001300

Increased PersecutionIncreased Persecution Expulsions Expulsions

(England 1290-(England 1290-1655)1655)

Forced wearing of Forced wearing of badgesbadges

PogromsPogroms Strangely, this Strangely, this

occurred during a occurred during a period of increasing period of increasing prosperity and prosperity and wealth. wealth.

Royal Expulsions – Why?Royal Expulsions – Why?

Quick cash fix – take Quick cash fix – take control of loans, control of loans, propertyproperty

However, often However, often damaged economy. damaged economy. Jews encouraged trade, Jews encouraged trade, could be taxed without could be taxed without limit.limit.

Expulsions often Expulsions often reversed reversed

Sometimes later re-Sometimes later re-imposed.imposed.

Badges and GarmentsBadges and Garments 1215 Pope Innocent III 1215 Pope Innocent III

mandates practicemandates practice Jews not alone: Jews not alone:

Heretics, Lepers, Heretics, Lepers, ProstitutesProstitutes

Varied by kingdom: Varied by kingdom: sometimes cloth badge sometimes cloth badge of red or yellow. Or of red or yellow. Or conical hat with cape.conical hat with cape.

Made them visible Made them visible targets for attacktargets for attack

Rulers often sold Rulers often sold exceptionsexceptions

Costumes worn by Jews in Medieval France

PogromsPogroms Begin in 11Begin in 11thth Century with 1 Century with 1stst Crusade. Crusade. Common by 13Common by 13thth Century Century 1414thth Century Plague triggers most deadly Century Plague triggers most deadly

attacksattacks

1819 “Hep-Hep” Pogrom in Frankfurt

Triggers for Anti-Semitic Triggers for Anti-Semitic ViolenceViolence

Accusations of Blood-Libel (kidnapping and Accusations of Blood-Libel (kidnapping and crucifying Christian children)crucifying Christian children)

Sickness Sickness Accusations of poisoning the wells Accusations of poisoning the wells Easter Week especially dangerousEaster Week especially dangerous

Prosperity and Violence: Prosperity and Violence: Why?Why?

Rise of Crusading Rise of Crusading Movement : War Movement : War against unbelieversagainst unbelievers

Jewish involvement Jewish involvement in money-lending in money-lending

-- Laws against -- Laws against Usury for ChristiansUsury for Christians

-- Secular leaders -- Secular leaders tolerated Jewish tolerated Jewish lenderslenders

Prosperity and Violence: Prosperity and Violence: Why?Why?

Importance of religious certainty in face of riskImportance of religious certainty in face of risk -- Jews = reminders that Christian faith might be “wrong”-- Jews = reminders that Christian faith might be “wrong” Moral suspicion of new urban lifestyleMoral suspicion of new urban lifestyle -- Christian merchants felt guilt-- Christian merchants felt guilt -- Jews personify vices of industry, thrift, trade, commerce-- Jews personify vices of industry, thrift, trade, commerce -- Attacking Jews allowed Christian merchants to “take a stand”-- Attacking Jews allowed Christian merchants to “take a stand”

Illumination from 1023 equating Jews with heretics as being unable to hear God’s word

Merchant of VeniceMerchant of Venice: Important : Important Themes from Historical ViewThemes from Historical View

The importance of lending, The importance of lending, borrowing, capital, and borrowing, capital, and creditcredit on the on the eve of Europe’s ascendanceeve of Europe’s ascendance

Similarly the importance of Similarly the importance of lawlaw and and contracts contracts

Construction of majority identities in Construction of majority identities in relation to the relation to the OtherOther