The first recorded Jewish community was established in London in the 11th century. They Jews were invited to London by William the Conqueror. The communities expanded beyond London to the south during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189). The first Jewish community in York was established around 1175. By 1190, there were between 20 and 40 households in York. The Jews worked as metal-workers, merchants, and moneylenders.
"The King's Jews"
The Jewish people did not fit into traditional medieval society. Medieval society was made up of communities and classes. Men did not claim individual rights, but asserted the rights of their particular station (i.e., benefits of clergy, customs of the manor). Jews were foreigners and non-Christians and so they did not belong to any traditionally accepted community. King Henry II sought to solve this problem by taking the Jews under his protection. They became known as “the King’s Jews” and were regarded as an extension of the royal household.
This status had advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage was that the Jews and their property were protected against attacks by the king’s subjects. The main disadvantage was that there was no protection from the king himself. As members of the royal household, the Jews were expected to work in the king’s interests. Their task, according to the king, was to grow rich and to make their wealth available to the king whenever it was needed.
Attitudes Towards the Jews
Most Europeans disapproved of the Jews. They were seen as outsiders and their financial activities made them unpopular, but many leaders of society were prepared to tolerate them. It was the middle range of feudal lords, many of whom owed money to the Jews, who particularly distrusted them. In addition, the lower clergy were often intensely anti-Jewish. They often preached anti-Semitic sermons, particularly during Lent. As a result, spring was the most common time for anti-Jewish riots.
Anti-Semitism was also widespread among the masses. It arose partly from ignorance and partly from jealousy. This was fueled by the inflammatory sermons. The masses were easily influenced by propaganda. Moreover, among urban populations, a riot provided a welcome escape from the monotony and hardship of everyday life. The York massacre resulted from a combination of these factors.
Anti-Jewish Riots
In 1189 Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was crowned in London. Riots broke out after a group of leading Jews were prevented from entering the royal palace. The London riots were very violent and led to at least 30 deaths, among them was Benedict, a prominent Jew from York. The riots soon spread to other parts of the country.
In 1190, King Richard, along with many of the great nobles of the kingdom, went abroad on a crusade. In York this, combined with a newly elected Archbishop of York who was unable to assert his authority, led to a power vacuum in the north. Several prominent landowners who owed money to the Jews, led by Richard Malebysse of Acaster Malbis, near York, saw this as their chance to engineer anti-Jewish riots and escape their obligations to the Jews.
The York Massacre
On a night in early March of 1190 a fire, possibly started deliberately, broke out in central York. Taking advantage of the ensuing chaos a group of men broken into the house of Benedict, who had died in the London riots. They They set fire to the roof, looted valuables, and killed Benedict’s widow. As a result of this, the next day most of the Jews took refuge in the royal castle, under the protection of its Constable. The wooden castle sat on the site of Clifford’s Tower. Rioting and looting continued the next day, together with attacks on those Jews who had not taken refuge in the castle, some of whom were forcibly baptized.
The Jews inside the castle feared the mob and did not trust the Constable. When he left the castle, they refused to readmit him. The Constable called upon the Sheriff of York, John Marshall, to help him restore order. The Sheriff decided that the Jews had to be driven from the castle and he proceeded to organize a siege. This decision led the mob to suppose that their attacks on the Jews had official approval and they joined in the siege with enthusiasm.
The Jews inside the castle held out for several days but by Friday, March 16, it was clear that resistance could not continue. At this point the Rabbi, Yomtob of Joigny, called upon his people to commit suicide. Many of them did so after setting fire to the castle. The next day the survivors asked for mercy, saying that they would accept baptism. This was agreed. They accordingly came out from the castle, but, as they did so, the mob fell upon them and massacred them. At least 150 Jews died.
The Aftermath
King Richard sent his chancellor to investigate the massacre. By the time the chancellor reached York most of its ringleaders had fled. The lands of Richard Malebysse were seized for the crown. Many of the secondary leaders were fined. The Constable of the Castle and the Sheriff of York were both dismissed. The city was required to give 100 hostages for good behavior and pay a collective fine.
Jewish families continued to live and prosper in York, but by the 1250s that prosperity was fading. In 1290 all Jews were expelled from England, but by that time there were only 6 Jewish households left to be driven out from York.
Sources:
Ben Chayil, Baruch. “York’s Blackest Hour.” (accessed June 8, 2009)
Dobson, R.B. "Clifford's Tower and the Jews of Medieval York." (London: English Heritage, 1995.)
The Jews in Medieval York. York: The Education Department – York Minster, 1998.
 |
