| France 11th to 13th century Medieval France was a patchwork of independent and semi-independent principalities. It took centuries for French rulers to conquer and bring the various regions under royal authority. In this period, France was a place of important Jewish scholarship. In northern France scholars produced commentaries on the Bible and Talmud, while those in the south pursued translations, and philosophical and scientific works. A Jewish mystical tradition evolved in France as early as the 11th century that would exert a strong influence on the study of Kabbalah in later centuries. |
| York 11th century to 1290 The city of York, once the capital of the kingdom of Northumbria, became the second most populous and prosperous city in England. It was home to Jews from the middle of the 12th century, and some attained considerable wealth as financial agents of the crown. Well-to-do community leaders provided patronage for Jewish scholars. Five months after the riots at the coronation of Richard Coeur de Lion in 1189, a riot broke out in York. Local Barons and other debtors turned against the Jews, and the entire Jewish community sought refuge in the royal castle. They were besieged by the mob and reportedly chose to commit mass suicide rather than to submit to the rioters. 13th century A Jewish community was reestablished in York in the 13th century Although the community did not regain its previous prominence, it was home to the archpresbyter, the official representative of the Jews of England (1236 to 1243). Jewish life in York ended in 1290 with the expulsion of all Jews from England. |
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| Lincoln 1159 to 1200 An important market town, Lincoln received its first royal charter in 1154, granting citizenship rights similar to those enjoyed by the city of London. By 1159 there was a Jewish community here which was, after that of London, the second largest and most important Jewish community in England. It included prominent financiers and scholars. In 1190, following the coronation of Richard Coeur de Lion, agitation for the crusades and increasing taxes spurred anti-Jewish uprisings. The Bishop of Lincoln, St. Hugh, protected the Jews and saved them from harm. Upon his death in 1200, Jews joined their fellow Christian townsmen in public mourning. 1255 In 1255, the Jews of Lincoln were falsely accused of killing a young Christian boy named Hugh to use his blood in Passover rituals. A Jew named Copin was tortured into confessing to the murder. Copin and 18 others were executed for the crime. The dead boy was popularly referred to as Little St. Hugh, although he was not canonized by the church. One hundred years later Chaucer recounted the events in "The Prioress' Tale" of The Canterbury Tales. |
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Speyer 1084 to 1096
1339 to 1354
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