Abstract
This article is a consideration of medieval religious violence during the time of Richard I set within the historiography of such writers as Nirenberg, Cohen, and Moore. This paper specifically examines a series of anti-Jewish massacres which broke out in England in the immediate aftermath of the coronation of the Crusader King Richard I. While modern violence against minorities is often attributed to the irrational actions of persons with extreme prejudice or ideologies, we find something a bit more nuanced in the situation in 12th century England. Certainly, there were long-standing prejudices against the Jews in England. However, this paper will argue that while general European antisemitism did create an undercurrent of tension across Europe and especially in this case England; similar to Nirenberg’s thoughts these passions were manipulated by those involved to the point that they became incendiary to suit specific local purposes and passions.
Highlights
Despite the celebratory nature of this occasion, William of Newburgh, a twelfth-century English monk, recorded that the English had always called September 3rd “the bad” or “the Egyptian”. William added that this designation proved to be a divinely-inspired portent of cataclysmic events that would spread throughout England during the early months of Richard’s reign—massacres of the English Jews
William of Newburgh recorded that the escalating violence spread to the cities of Lincoln and York. He wrote that when the citizens of Lincoln and York heard about the attacks on Jews in London, they decided that they too would attack the Jews in order to rob them of their possessions and wealth
This was especially true in England during the reign of Richard I
Summary
Massacres of the Jews under Richard I (A.D. 1189–1190). Religions 12: 821. Initial riots erupted at Richard’s coronation, quickly turned deadly, spread throughout the countryside, and ended with the death of 57 Jews at Bury St Edmund’s on Palm Sunday, 18 March 1190 This violence towards the religious minority of English. Throughout the medieval period of European history, we find similar incidents of intense and unrestrained violence towards religious minorities These episodes present quite a challenge to the modern reader who often desires a systematic, rational, and linear explanation of cause and effect. This paper will argue that there was both a palpable and widespread feeling of anti-Semitism in European society during this time This undercurrent only served as fodder to the fire that was conveniently manipulated by local persons to suit the passions and designs of the moment.
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