Anti-Semitism in Medieval Europe

Legal Status Largest non-Christian minority in Europe Largest non-Christian minority in Europe One step above heretics One step above heretics Received protection from kings Received protection from kings Church or “Canon” law forbade forced conversion Church or “Canon” law forbade forced conversion In Mediterranean Europe (especially Italy) Jews tended to live in walled-in “Jewish Quarter” – Often did so by choice In Mediterranean Europe (especially Italy) Jews tended to live in walled-in “Jewish Quarter” – Often did so by choice

Treatment of Jews Increased Persecution Expulsions (England ) Expulsions (England ) Forced wearing of badges Forced wearing of badges Pogroms Pogroms  Strangely, this occurred during a period of increasing prosperity and wealth.

Royal Expulsions – Why? Quick cash fix – take control of loans, property Quick cash fix – take control of loans, property However, often damaged economy. Jews encouraged trade, could be taxed without limit. However, often damaged economy. Jews encouraged trade, could be taxed without limit.  Expulsions often reversed  Sometimes later re-imposed.

Badges and Garments 1215 Pope Innocent III mandates practice 1215 Pope Innocent III mandates practice Jews not alone: Heretics, Lepers, Prostitutes Jews not alone: Heretics, Lepers, Prostitutes Varied by kingdom: sometimes cloth badge of red or yellow. Or conical hat with cape. Varied by kingdom: sometimes cloth badge of red or yellow. Or conical hat with cape. Made them visible targets for attack Made them visible targets for attack Rulers often sold exceptions Rulers often sold exceptions

Costumes worn by Jews in Medieval France

Pogroms Begin in 11 th Century with 1 st Crusade. Begin in 11 th Century with 1 st Crusade. Common by 13 th Century Common by 13 th Century 14 th Century Plague triggers most deadly attacks 14 th Century Plague triggers most deadly attacks 1819 “Hep-Hep” Pogrom in Frankfurt

Triggers for Anti-Semitic Violence Accusations of Blood-Libel (kidnapping and crucifying Christian children) Accusations of Blood-Libel (kidnapping and crucifying Christian children) Sickness  Accusations of poisoning the wells Sickness  Accusations of poisoning the wells Easter Week especially dangerous Easter Week especially dangerous

Prosperity and Violence: Why? Rise of Crusading Movement : War against unbelievers Rise of Crusading Movement : War against unbelievers Jewish involvement in money-lending Jewish involvement in money-lending -- Laws against Usury for Christians -- Laws against Usury for Christians -- Secular leaders tolerated Jewish lenders -- Secular leaders tolerated Jewish lenders

Prosperity and Violence: Why? Importance of religious certainty in face of risk Importance 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 lifestyle Moral 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 Venice: Important Themes from Historical View The importance of lending, borrowing, capital, and credit on the eve of Europe’s ascendance The importance of lending, borrowing, capital, and credit on the eve of Europe’s ascendance Similarly the importance of law and contracts Similarly the importance of law and contracts Construction of majority identities in relation to the Other Construction of majority identities in relation to the Other