The Jewish Arcae

Abstract

In September, 1194, Richard I, having returned from a disastrous captivity, sent itinerant justices around the country to reclaim and reorganise royal rights. According to Roger of Hoveden, they were instructed to put into writing all lands, housestae Mariae Ecclesia and William de Chemilli, such contracts should be made. The charter embodying the contract was to be made in the form of a chyrograph, of which one part was to be kept should remain in the area [area = chest = huche]. The area was to be secured by three locks: the Christians were to have one key, the Jews a second and the two Williams a third, and they should each of them seal the lock the key of which they heldt by the Jew, sealed with the seal of him to whom the money was lent, rents and possessions of the Jews. They should also provide six or seven places in which the Jews should make all their contracts, and appoint two law-worthy Christians, two law-worthy Jews and two law-worthy writers before whom, together with William de Sanc: the other par. The clerks of the two Williams should keep a roll of the transcripts of all charters: they were exhorted to keep the roll up to date, in return for which they were to receive one penny for evor. Five or more of the appointed oery charter made, twopence going between the writers, the total payment of three-pence being levied equally from the debtor and creditfficials were required to be present at each transaction, and the three groups, the Christians, the Jews and the keepers of the rolls were each to maintain a roll embodying payments made to the Jews.