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Law
Grants Jews Rights In Poland
In 1264, Prince Boleslaw the Pious of Kalisz issued
a charter to the Jews in his domain. This document, known as the
Statute of Kalisz, put Jews under royal protection and outlined
their tax obligations. Based on charters issued earlier in Austria,
Bohemia, and Hungary, the Statute became the model for the status
of Jews when a unified Polish kingdom was established in the 14th
cen. These two articles from the Statute protect Jews against ritual
murder accusations and grant them trade rights.
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31. According to the ordinances of the pope, in the name
of our Holy Father, we firmly order that henceforth no Jews
in our domain be accused of using human blood, since according
to the precept of their law all Jews refrain from any blood.
If any Jews be accused of killing any Christian child, he
should be convicted by three Christian witnesses and as
many Jewish witnesses. After he has been convicted, he should
be punished by the proper penalty for the crime committed.
If, however, the aforesaid witnesses and his innocence exonerate
him, then the Christian accuser should undergo the punishment
which the Jew should have had to suffer, for slander.
. . .
36. We also order that Jews may sell and buy all things
freely and may touch bread as do Christians. Anyone who
impedes them shall be obliged to pay a fine.
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