Synods Princes Preâ—â—tes concerning the Popes Ecclesiastical and Temâ—â—raâ— usurped Jurisdiction formerly claimed usurped in England his Legates Bulls Excommunications Interdictons Peter-pence Tenths First-fruits Palls Provisions Letters Taxes all Disputes betweene our Kings Nobles Parliaments Judges and the Prâ—laâ—es or Clergy of England Scotland Ireland Wales and betwixt our Prelateâ— and Clergymen themselves concerning their Jurisdictions Courts Priviledges Possessions Prâ—cedency Visitaâ—ions Exemptions Taxes Tenths First-fruits Elections consecrations Investitures c. And all Charters Priviledgâ—s Exemptions Glebes rents 〈…〉 â—â—â—onging to the Bishopricks Monasteries 〈◊〉 clergy of England Ireland â—â—les Scotland and the 〈…〉 which if â—igeâ—ted into an History would not only â—dorn but exceâ— all Ecclesiastical Histoâ—ies of Englâ—nd hitherâ—o pâ—blishâ—d and rectifie some mistakes in â—any of them Upon all which considâ—rations I hope the God of the Spiâ—â—â—s of all fleâ—h wiâ—â—in this stupid selfish degenerated age raise up some heroick active publike English Spirits of all these rankes not only to preserve our precious antient Records from Hugh Peters designed Martyrdom but likewise diligently to study and extract such useful collections out of them as I have hinted for the benefit honor of their Native country and advantage of succeeding ages of which I have here given them a leading president in these Historical Legal Chronological collections relating only to our English Iews the transcendent malice of my former causlesse Enemies in debarring me by a special old Council-Table Order from all accesse to the Tower Records during my 5. years Imprisonment in it made the very next day after my commitment thither to deprive me of their benefit seconded with above 3. yeares close imprisonment and exile in remotest Castles and the late ungrateful despiteful unrighteous Oppressions of some of their new Whitehall Successors though my pretended great Friends in seising all my Papers Writings Records they could meet with both in Lincolns Inne aâ—d the Country â—nd keeping me close Prisoner in â— remâ—â—e Castles under striâ—tâ—st armed Guards near full 3. yâ—ars space wiâ—houâ— any accusation heaâ—ing or cause exprâ—ssed â—ither thâ—n or since of purpose to hinder me from our Râ—cords 〈◊〉 â—ublishing any thing for the common good as â—ome of them have acâ—nowledged having so long debaâ—â—ed so much impoâ—eâ—ished so â—far disabled me from theâ—e Noble Undertakinâ—s deâ—erâ—ing all encouragements eâ—en â—â—on â— common publick purâ—e and account that I must recommend the pursuite of thâ—m to some other Gentâ—emen of lâ—sser years but far greater abilities and estates then my self who may both demerit receive in after ages far better rewards for their Labors and Publications herein then long tedious Imprisonments close imprisonment Pillories Stigmatizing Fines Exiles Degradations Affronts Losses discouragements of all sorts the only Encouragements Guerdons Recompences I ever yet received for all my useful publications my unmercenary faithful Services and Sufferings for the publike upon all occasions I shall close up all with some Scripture-Texts discovering the excellent use benefit of old Records and what high esteem the wisest Kings in the Old and Paul himself in the New Testament had of them The first Text I shall cite gives us a true character of the Jews seditious carriage then manifested by Records Eâ—ra 4.14 15. Now because we are salted with the Salt of the Palace and it was not meet for us to see the Kings dishonour therefore have we sent and certified the King that search may be made in the Books of Records of thy fathers so shalt thou find in the Book of the Records â—nd know that this City is a Rebeâ—lious City and hurtfuâ—l unto Kings and Provinces and they have moved sedition within the same of old times for which cause was the city destroyed which appeared true upon search made in the Records vers 19.20 Esther 6.1 On that niâ—ht could not the King sleep and he commanded to bring the Book of Records of the Chronicles and they were râ—â—d beâ—oâ—e the King Neh. 12.22.23 The â—evites in the days of Eliashib Joiada c. were recorded chief of the Fathers also the Priests to the reign of Daruis the Persiâ—â— The Sons of Levy the chief of the Fathers were recorded in the Books of Chronicles c. 2 Tim. â— 1â— When thou comest bring with thee the books buâ— especially the Parchments which the Latin Translators aâ—â—â—endâ— Membranas â— Parchment Rolls Upon which words â—â—eâ—â—oâ—eâ—t Oecumâ—mus and others thus comment Mâ—xime Membranas Membranas Latina magis voce volumina sive Chartas volubiles appellâ—â—â—i Iâ— complicatis enâ—m involutis Chartis habebant olim quae ad divinam spectant Scripturam Quemadmodum â—tiam ad â—reâ—â—nâ—â—m aâ—â—us 〈◊〉 pâ—uâ—ima habent If then aâ—l our parchment Membranâ—es Rolls Records must be burnt Hugh Peters and his good Magistrate to accomplish this good Work must first burn the old original parchment Membranaes Rolls of the Old and New Testament the ancientest of all others which St. Paul was so carefull to preserve and then those of the Kingdom next And whether this will be a Good or christian work for a Good or christian Magistrate or Minister let all sober men resolve seeing it will totally deprive us of all sacred all civil Antiquities and Records and be matter of greatest rejoycing advantage to our common Romish Enemies and the Jesuites the original projectors of this infernal Jesuitical designe and practice as Ludovicus Lucius Hist Iesuiticae l. 1. c. 6. p. 144. manifests records What therefore our Saviour himself concludes of old Wine that will all learned discreet sage men determine of our good old English Laws Liberties Records compared with Hugh Peters and others New Models Instruments papers relating to the publike Lu. 5.39 No man having drunk Old Wine streightway desireth New for he saith the Old is better FINIS Errata and Omissions KInd Reader Take notice that the Records of Edw. 1. being transcâ—ibed before the later of King John and those of Henry the 3d. and printed at guess before them they amounting to above double the sheets conjectured thereupon from C. p. 13. to H. p. 53. the folioes only are figured and some sheets altogether wâ—â—hout figures Wherefore I shall desire thee to page them all with thy pâ—n from p. 13. to p. 53. tâ—at so thou maist the better correct those few Errataes which have escaped the Press in some Copies here noted as if they had all been paged in order In the Epistle p. 2. l. 27. read Endeavorer In the Book p. 3. l. 32. Priesthoodâ— Pâ—esbytery p. 11. l. 33. together p. 13. l. 6. preceding p. 16. l. 1. on r. in l. 14. Statutes p. 18. l. 30 thuâ— p. 20. l. 3 Fraâ—ket p. 24. l. 13. placia p. 25. l. 32. lucio p. 27 l. 37 victuâ—lia et si quem inveneritis quae deneger eis victualia c. p. 34. l. 36. â—sâ—nd p. 37. l. 10. reddendam p. 38. l. 36. but then p 43. l. 1. Jews Chaâ—reis p. 44. l. 37. â—eâ—minis p
their goods moveables or immoveables And that they shall not be impleaded sued nor challenged in any Court but in the Kings Court wheresoever they are 7. And that none of them shall be obedient respondent nor render rent but to the King and his Bayliffs in his name if it be not of their houses which they now hold rendering rent saving the right of holy Church 8. And the King grants them that they shall live of their lawfull merchandizes and by their labour and that they shall converse with the Christians for lawfull merchandizing in selling and in buying But yet that by this privilege nor any other they shall not be levant rising or couchant lying down amongst them And the King will not that by reason of their merchandize that they should be in lots nor scots nor Tallage with those of the Cities or Burroughs where they remain seeing they are tailable to the King as his own Vassals and to none other 9. Moreover the King grants them that they may buy houses and curtelages in the Cities or Burroughs where they reside so as they hold them in chief of the King saving to the Lords the Services due and accustomed 10. And that they may take Lands to farm for term of ten years or under without taking homages or fealties or such manner of service of a Christian and without having advowson of holy Church for to support their life in the world if they know not how to merchandize or be unable to labour And this power for to take Lands to farm shall not endure to them but 15 years from this time forth to come By these Laws this politick King to please his English Christian Subjects abridged many of the Jews former priviledges and put many new restraints upon them And yet on the other hand to gratifie the Jews who gave him more monies than the English he takes them all into his special protection prohibits all violence to their persons or estates and grants them some petty priviledges for the present which seemed to content them and made for his owne advantage more than theirs Rot. Clauseâ— E. 1. in the Tower rot 8. I find that one who was bound to Gamilelâ— a Jew and had lands afterwards acknowledged himself a Villain whereupon a writ then issued to inquire what lands he had at the time of the making of the bonds and to extend them JUXTA STATUTA JUDAISMI And claus 4 E. 1. rot 11. there is this recital made of this very Statute of Judaism Cum secundum Assisam ET STATUTUM JUDAISMI NOSTRI Judaei nostri in partâ— ne habere DEBEANT Ã Christianis creditoribus MEDIETATEM terrarum reddituum et Catallorum ipsorum quousque debita sua perciperent c. execution awarded in the case of a Jew according to the 2 clause of this Statute Therefore it is most certain it was not made in 18 E. 1. which was 14 years after these two records reciting it both by name and words but in 3 E. 1. the very next year before these records the end for which I here insert them In the 7th year of King Edward the 1. Anno Dom. 1278. as some or 1279. as others compute it the King held a Parliament at London which was chiefly called for the reformation of his coyn which was then sore clipped by reason whereof it was much diminished and impaired In the time of this Parliament in the moneth of November all the Jews throughout England as Matthew Westminster or many of the Jews in London and other parts of the Realm were apprehended in one day and imprisoned in London for clipping of money and in December following divers Enquests were charged in London to enquire of the said Jews and all others who had so blemished and clipped the Kings coyn By which Enquests the Jews of the City with the Gold-smiths that kept exchanges of silver were indicted And shortly after Candelmas the Mayor and Justices of the Land sat at London where before them was cast 297 persons for clipping of the which 3 only were Englishmen and all the other were Jews born either within this Realm or elsewhere but most of them English Jews who were all of them at sundry places and times put to execution in London who impeached the chief men of London and very many Christians who consented to their wickednesses After which a very great multitude of Jews were hanged in other Cities of England for the same offence Hereupon in the Patent Rolls of 7 8 and 9 Edw. 1. in the Tower I find sundry grants of the Jews Houses and Lands in London Yorke and Northampton made by the King to several persons as escheated to him by those executed Jewish offenders Anno 1279. The Jews of Northampton crucified a Christian boy but did not thoroughly kill him upon Good-Friday for the which fact many of the Jews at London after Easter were drawn at Horses tails and hanged In the year of our Lord 1282. John Peckham Arch-bishop of Canterbury sent an expresse precept and command to the Bishop of London to suppresse and destroy all the Synagogues of the Jews within his Diocesse On May 2. Anno 1287. All the Jews of England were apprehended by the Kings precept for what cause was not known who ransomed themselves for 12000l of silver They had then a Synagogue at Canterbury Fabian writes that the Jews of England were sessed at great sums of mony perchance the cause of their seisure which they paid unto the King But of other Authors it is said That the Commons of England then granted to the King the fifth part of their moveables for to have the Iews banished out of the Land For which cause the said Jews for to put the Commons from their purposes gave of their free wills great sums of money to the King which saying appeareth to be true for that the said Jews were exiled within few years after with whom Grafton and Holinshed accord A strong evidence of the potency of Jewish money over-powring the whole Commons of England in Parliament and this their Liberal subsidy for their banishment at that season K. Edward the 1. the next year 1288. being in Gascoigne a certain English Knight decreed to convent a Jew for the undue detention of a certain Mannor morgaged to him before the Judges but the crafty Jew refused to answer pretending a Charter of King Henry heretofore which was granted to him that he should not be drawn into judgement before any Judge except only before the person of the King The Knight being troubled at this went into Gascoigne that he might obtain some remedy hereupon from the King Whom when the King had heard he answered It is not seemly for children to make void the deeds of their parents to whom by Gods Law they are commanded to give reverence wherefore I have decreed not to make void the deed of my Father but I grant to thee and to
Justices Nobles Gentlemen Citizens Merchants Societies Fraternities most private persons both in England Ireland Wales Scotland all the British Isles and other Territories anciently belonging to England All whose particular patents grants evidences though under seaâ— if alleged to be false forged sophiâ—â—ticated must be tryed only by their exemplifications or inrollments on record They likewise comprise all the Judgements Fines Common Recoveries Verdicts Trials Suits Statute Merchants and Staple Recogniâ—anâ—â—s Inrolments yea in any of the private Conveyances Contracts between our Kings and private subjects and one subject another What a universal confusion subversion then disinherison destruction of all Rights Titles Interests Inheritances Priviledges the burning of all our old Records would immediatly bring upon all and every County City Corporation Nobleman Gentleman Inheritor Freeholder of the Realm of England and all the subordinate Dominions thereto annexed let this Short Cutter himself and all Wise men determine who hold or claim any thing by matter of Record their best and surest evidence 3ly All the good old Laws Statutes for the Government Peace safety defence and wellfare of the Nation are originally conteined in our Records by which they must be tryed examined Yea all the perambulations and deafforestations of our forrests All the Limits Bounds Extents Contents Jurisdictions Customs Priviledges Tenures Rents Services of all Counties Cities Burroughs Ports Honors Mannors Parishes Courts of Justice Offices Officers Civil Military Ecclesiastical Marine all the Pedegrees Discents Successions by which all Heirs Successors hold or claim their inheritances are for the most part defined ascertained evidenced proved in and by our Records alone wherein they are enrolled And if they should all be burnt together what a taxies confusions contentions oppressions suits quarrels frauds Disinherisons would thereupon immediatly ensue all wisemen may prognosticke The mighty Nymrods and Grandees of the times wil then soon question al mens Titles devour their lesse potent neighbours estates inheritances adjoyning near to theirs all potent Landlords will exact what services rents customs heriots releifes they please from their poor tenants all superiour inferiour Courts Officers Corporations claim exercise what extravagant Jurisdictions powers they think meet and all legal means of defending mens rights liberties inheritances against malitious potent vexations Adversaries will be utterly abolished by Salt Peters new Firework to burn all our old Records to ashes 4ly Whereas this Ignoramus in ouâ— Records the most whereof he never yet saw and cannot so much as read produceth this only reason for their burning that they are the monuments of Tyranny I would demand of rhis bold blind Bayard who judgeth of coulors he never yet saw how he can make good this notorious untruth The greatest part of our Records are the two great Charters of the Liberties of England and the Forrest or sundry subsequent confirmations of them in several Parliaments the good old Laws Statutes Ordinances made by our wisest Kings Nobles Commons upon long advise and serious debates in our English Parliaments for the Government Peace defence wellfare of the people The proceedings debates Judgements Resolutions of our sagest Parliaments Judges Courts of Justice in all matters cases publike private civil or criminal formerly debated or resolved in them Old Charters Commissions Patents Writs Concords Fines Recoveries Statutes Judgements Extents Indictments Offices Grants of Liberties Lands Franchises Fairs Offices Pardons to particular persons corporations all matters advancing the defence of the Realm by Land and Sea in times of danger war according to the ancient Laws and Customes of the Realm Negotiations Truces Leagues with Embassies Letters to from forain States All particulars concerning Merchants Merchandise Trade Coyn Buâ—lion Measures weights wools Staples Ships and the like Now how all or any of these can be stiled Monuments of Tyranny let this Lindsy-Wolsy great Clerk demonstrate at his best leasure Besides I here averr ex certa scientia against this Imposture That most of our old Records especially in the Tower are so far from being monuments of Tyranny that on the contrary they are the chiefest badges the clearest evidendences of those good old English Liberties which our noble Ancestors claimed purchased and transmitted to us as our richest Birthrights yea the principal Bulworks Fences against all sorts of Tyrannical usurpations encroachments on the Peoples Liberties Rights Properties in any kind whatsoever To put this out of Controversie I shall appeal only to the many excellent old Reeords produced most insisted on by the Commons and others in the several Parliaments of 7 8 21 Jacobi and 3 4 17. Caroli against all Impositions Tunnage Poundage Customs Excises Loans Taxes demanded imposed and exacted from the Subject without common consent and Act of Parliament against imprisoning Subjects by King or Council Table without any legal cause expressed in the warrants and not bailing them in such cases against Shipmoney Court and Conduct money the Bishops late Canons and Oath Commissions for executing martial Law in times of Peace impressing and billiting Souldiers the Commissions of Array with other late Grievances Monopolies and the arbitrary proceedings of Strafford Canterbury the old Council Table Star-chamber and High-commission printed in sundry Treatises in Sir Edw. Cooks 2 4 Institut Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma and in my Legal Historical Vindication and collection of the good old fundamental Liberties c. of England to which I shall refer the Reader and Hugh Peters who if he had St. Augustines ingenuity hath as much cause and more than he to write a book of Retractations especially of this his rash sentence passed against our old Records devoting them to the fire which his and others New-Medles better deserve than they Now that I may the better excite encourage all generous English Spirits especially Lawyers Statesmen Historians Heralds and Divines who have opportunity not only to the diligent preservation but inspection study perusal of our ancient over much neglected sleighted Records so rashly devoted to the fire by Peters I shall in brief acquaint each of them what hidden Treasures and rare precious pearls are locked up in these old Parchment cabinets 1. All grounded Students and Professors of the Law upon diligent search may find in our old Records the several Writs of Summons for our Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Viscounts Barons Citizens Burgesses Merchants and all other Members to our ancient English Parliaments Great Councils of State Synods Convocations with the several prorogations adjournments dissolutions of them for Knights and others wages The Speeches Proceedings Petitions Debates Consultations Orders Ordinances Statutes Judgements Pleas Demands Grants or Refusals of Aides Subsidies with all transactions resolves concerning peace War Government Trade Merchandise Bullion Coyn Weights Measure purviances Customes Tunnage poundage Imposts Fishing Shipping defence of King or Kingdom by Land or Sea Liberties priviledges properties regulation of abuses supplies of defects of Law Justice and all other matters formerly discussed in our English parliaments Which
Jurnepin Et Officialis Archidiaconi venit coram Justiciariis cum magna secta Sacerdotum qui omnes dixerunt in verbo Dei quod praedictus puer ita circumcisus fuit sicut praedictum est et per praedictos Judaeos quod viderunt praedictum puerum recenter circumcisum habentem membrum suum grossum valdè inflatum et sanguinolentum Et Coronatores de Comitatu et Coronatores de Civitate Norwici 36 homines de villata de Norwic. Jurati venerunt troue inveniunt ut fuit circumcisus c. Et quod juxta ripam Norwic. il fuittroue fuit inventus ululans plorans per unum Maude de Berneham sa file que i luy emesiont a lovr meason ton esteaut les Iewes veigne dioit que il fuit Judaeum suum vocaverunt eum Jurnepin c. Et quando Judaei non potuerunt eum habere propter Christianos prohibuerunt eidem Matildae Ne daret ei carnem porcinam ad manducandum quia dixerunt ipsum esse Judaeum Ita quod per vim venerant Christiani abstulerunt puerum praedictum à manibus Iudaeorum Et Maude examyne confesse ceo tout c. Et omnes Iudaei sunt in prisona apud Norwich praeter illos qui fuerunt apud London quando haec Inquisitio facta fuit Et omnes Iuratores requisiti Qui interfuerunt ad Circumcisionem illam dâ—cunt Quod omnes praedicti Judaei fuerunt consentientes facto illo praeter Massi filius Saloni Haec autem omnia facta fuerunt in Curia Domini Regis apud Norwic Fratribus Praedicatoribus Fratribus Minoribus pluribus aliis tam Clericis quam Laicis praesentibus Et tout ceo fuit testify per Ric de Tresingfield Constable de Norwich auters Posteacoram Domino Rege Domino Cantuar. Majori parte Episcoporum Baronium Angliae quia casus iste nunquam prius accidit in Curia Domini Regâ—s praeterea quia factum illud primò tangit Deum sanctam Ecclesiam eo quod Circumcisio Baptismus sunt pertinentia ad fidem et praeterea non est ibi talis felonia nec amissio membri nec Mahemium nec plaga mortalis vel alia felonia Laica quae possit hominem damnare sine Mandato Sanctae Ecclesiae Consideratum est quod istud in primò tractetur in sancta Ecclesia et per Ordinarium loci inquiratur rei veritas Et mandetur Domino Regi unum Marcum auri persic quod puer videatur coram Iusticiariis si circumcisus fuit vel non recipitur Et visus est puer et membrum ejus visum est pelle coopertum ante in Capite Et in tali statu liberatur patri suo ut eum habeat coram Iudicibus Ecclesiasticis ipsi Iudaei remaneant in Prisona So far this Record relates the proceedings in the Kings Court and Matthew Paris informs us what they afterwards did in the Bishops It seems the Citizens of Norwich upon this occasion fired the Iews Houses in the City for in Placita 18 H. 3. rot 27. in Dorso I find a complaint of the Citizens of Norwich against the Sheriff of Norfolk for certain injuries done unto them in entring their Liberties beating their Servants and ayding the Jews who justified that what he did was because the Citizens had fired the Iews houses Which business was debated before the King at Bromholne And because the Bayliffs of the Town made no Inquisition concerning these burnings and beatings of their Servants as belonged to their Office nor made any emendation thereof neither would the Commonalty of the City it self in defence of their Liberties permit the Sheriff of Norfolke to reform it it was adjudged that they should be in the Kings mercy as well for their Liberties as for the other things and after paid a fine of fifty marks The very next year the Jews in Forraign parts especially in Germany believing that the Tartars were of their own Nation entred into a secret League with them to destroy the Christians and subdue the whole world to themselves to which end they provided many Hogsheads filled with arms to be transported to the Tartars pretending to the Christian Princes that they were Vessels filled only with poysoned Wines wherewith they intended to poyson and destroy the Tartars who would drink no wines but such as were made by the Iews But this their treachery being detected by the Customers in Germany who found these pretended Vessels of wine to be fraught with arms for the Tartars wherewith to destroy the Christians thereupon the Iews were delivered to Tormentors to be perpetually imprisoned or slain with their owne swords as Matthew Paris more at large relates Anno 1241. p. 564. King Henry Anno 1243. exacted a great ransom from the most miserable Iews both in gold and silver so that besides what he exacted from others he extorted from one Iew Aaron of Yorke 4 marks of gold and 4000 marks of silver the King himself receiving the gold with his own hand from every Iew man or woman being made of a King a new receiver of Custom but the silver was received by others for the King Anno 1244. in August the corps of a little male child was found buried in the City of London in whose thighs and arms and under whose paps there was a regular inscription in Hebrew Letters To which spectacle when as many resorted admiring at it and not knowing how to read the letters knowing that the letters were Hebrew they called thither converted Iews who inhabited the House which the King had founded in London that they as they loved their life or members for the honour love and fear of their Lord the King without figment of falshood might declare that writing For the Kings Bayliffs and Conservators of the Peace were present They likewise believed neither without cause that the Iews had either crucified that little child in obloquy and contumely of Christ which was related frequently to have happened or had afflicted him with sundry torments to crucify him and when he had given up the ghost they had now cast him there as unworthy the Cross Moreover there appeared in his body blew marks and rents of rodds and manifest signs and foot-steps of some other torment And when as those Converts were brought to read those things that were inscribed and studied that they might perfectly read them they found the Letters deformed and now not legible being many ways disordered and tossed up and down by reason of the extension and contraction of the skin and flesh But they found the name of the Father and Mother of the little child suppressing their surnames and that the child was sold to the Iews but to whom or to what end they could not find In the mean time certain of the London Iews took a secret and sudden flight never to return again who by this very thing rendered themselves
can find no syllable in any Domestick or foreign Historians or Writers whatsoever nor yet that they inhabited here or were here in the Briton Saxon or Danish Kings Reigns which if they had some of our Historians Synods Decrees and Laws in those ages would have mentioned it as well as the Gothish Spanish Histories Laws Councils and Constitutions where they resided in which there is not one syllable of them but only in the forecited Law foisted in amongst the Confessors to which doubtless it was puny but in William the Conquerours reign Together with their ill deportments misdemeanors sufferings massacres servile condition and manifold popular tumults against them during all the time of their residence in England and final banishment out of it never to my knowledge collected into one intire History before The serious consideration whereof will in my weake judgement sufficiently satisfie convince the whole English Nation that they have just grounds and reasons in point of piety of policy never to re-admit them more into our Island and likewise resolve the very Jewes themselves that they have little cause or reason at all to desire to re-plant themselves in England where their ancestors in times past susteined so many miseries massacres affronts oppressions fleecings upon all occasions themselves can expect little better usage for the future To this principal part of my undertaking for fuller satisfaction I shall hereunto subjoyn a Tast of such Laws Scriptures Reasons as seem strongly to plead yea conclude against their re-admission into England at least in that latitude and freedom as formerly they there enjoyed and now petition for As 1. To erect new Synagogues Temples amongst us or turn any of our Churches Chappels into Synagogues for the free publique exercise of their Judaism Jewish Worship Customs Religion diametrically contrary to the Gospel Person Kingdom Priesthood Offices Mediation Redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ which they thereby professedly deny renounce as false and fabulous 2ly To set up a Jewish Corporation or Fraternity amongst us in our Cities and Corporations distinct and separate from the English subject to their own immediate peculiar Officers and Judges as heretofore 3ly To purchase Houses Habitations Rents Lands exercise Merchandizes and all sorts of Trades and Manufactures amongst us as free Denizens or Merchants upon such terms and qualifications as shall be indulged to them 1. For our Laws and Statutes these following make directly or obliquely by way of necessary consequence against their re-admission 1. For their Jewish Synagogues Worship Sacraments Religion these ancient pious Laws of our Saxon and Danish Kings made in their great Parliaments and Councils before the Jews first coming into England strongly oppose their admission now As namely the Laws of King Alfred and Guthern Lex 1.2 of King Ethelred in the Council of Aenham c. 1.3.27 29 30. of Habam c. 1. with the Laws of King Knute the Dane Lex 1.27 28. All which enact That the only true God and our Lord be loved worshipped in all ages by all the people with all their might the one Christian holy Catholick faith orthodoxly kept and the Churches of God to be diligently frequented throughout the Realm That all Paganisme and false Religions be renounced both in words and deeds That who ever wickedly resisteth the Laws of Christ shall be grievously fined and put to death and that all men should diligently seek out by all means Ut recta Christi relâ—gio maximè provehatur That the right religion of Christ might be most of all advanced obtesting all Ecclesiastical and secular persons again and again most earnestly to keep the sincere faith unanimously in the true God and the right Christian faith in a right manner diligently to hear the Teachers of Gods word studiously to follow their Doctrine and Precepts to maintain peace and tranquility in the Church of God and there diligently to pour forth their prayers All which particulars exclude all Jewish Synagogues and Judaisme and are of perpetual force being grounded on the very Law of God Moreover King Cnute his Ecclesiastical Lawes made by the advise of his wise men to be observed throughout all England prohibited That no Christian should be sold or sent out of the Realm or banished amongst those who had not as yet embraced the faith in Christ lest per adventure those Souls should perish at any time which our Lord Jesus Christ had redeemed with his own blood and life If Christians for this cause ought not to be sent sold or banished amongst Jews and Infidels much more then ought not Infidel Jews with their Jewish Synagogues Religion Ceremonies to be now introduced amongst us Christians to the hazard of many Christian Souls redeemed by Christs blood 2. All the Statutes concerning Uniformity of Common Seâ—vice and administration of the Sacraments as 1 Ed. 6. c. 1 2. 2 Ed. 6. c. 1. 6 Ed. 6. c. 1.1 Eliz. c. 2.23 Eliz. c. 1.35 Eliz. c. 1.2 most of them still in force being never legally repealed do fully and directly oppugne the introduction of any Jâ—wish Synagogues Service Sacraments Worship Ceremonies with the use of them in any place within our Realm 3. The Statutes of 3. E. 6. c. 10.13 Eliz. c. 2.23 Eliz. c. 1.28 Eliz. c. 2.6 35 Eliz. c. 1.3 Jac. c. â— against Popish Recusants Seminary Priests Jesuites Friers Masse-Books Agnus Dei's Popish Books Superstitions for eventing the withdrawing of the Subjects of this Realm from the publique Ordinances Sacraments and Religion here established and for speedy banishing all Seminary Priests and Jesuites and keeping them perpetually out of the Realm upon this account amongst others though professing Christ Christian Religion and agreeing with us in all Articles of the Creed and most fundamental points of Christianity Must in Substance Law Reason in this regard much more perpetually exclude abolish all Jews Jewish Priests Rabbies Synagogues worship Ceremonies Superstitions out of our Dominions being far more dishonourable to Christ opposite to our Christian Religion and destructive to the peoples souls if once admitted then any Jesuites Seminary Priests Friers Popish Recusants or any Romish Masses Superstitions whatsoever And if the Jewish Priests Judaism and Jewish Ceremonies may be now set up and practised publiquely amongst us notwithstanding all these Statutes then much more Masse-Priests Masses Popery and Prelacy by the self-fame reason justice equity To these I might annex all the late Ordinances for the Directory The solemn League and Covenant and for Suppressing punishing of Heresy and Blasphemy therefore of Judaism which is both Heresy and Blasphemy and Jewish assemblies the very Synagogues of Sâ—tan and Jews great blaspemers by Christs own resolution Rev. 2.9 c. 3.9 Acts 18.6 Rom. 2.21 With the late printed Instrument of Government which although it allows not only toleration but protection to all Sects and Religions professing faith in God through Jesus Christ though differing from the Doctrine and Discipline publickly held forth in the Nation
peace and plenty and enjoy their Merchandizes and other franchiâ—es together with their Schools and Synagogues as Benjamin the Sonne of Ionas a Jew records at large in his Peregrination together with Mr. Samuel Purchas in his Pilgrims l. 9. c. 5. And Menasseh Ben-Israel him self confesseth in his Epistle Dedicatory and Addresses where thus he writes Our Nation at the present is spread all about and hath its seat and dwelling in the most flourishing parts of all the Kingdoms and Countries of the world as well in America as in the other three parts which he prosecutes more at large p. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. boasting of their extraordinary wealth Offices Power and Priviledges in other places And therefore this only remains in my judgement Before the Messia come and Restore our Nation that first we must have our seat here â—â—kewise therefore having so much Elbow-room already throughout the world their reception here will be no act of piety or charity in us neither do they presse it as such but an act of the highest impiety they now insisting on it as a necessary preparative to the coming of thâ—ir long expected false Messia to restore them to their temporal Kingdom again and Fathers inheritance as he expresly writes These general Reasons against the Jews readmission premised which I hope will satisfie most men I shall conclude with some particular Reasons drawn from late published Declarations of our Grandees which I conceive will best satisfie them of any other and for this end I hope without any just offence or Scandalum magnatum I shall crave leave to presse them home in this common cause for the defence of the Glory Honor Scepter Gospel Kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ the only Potentate the Prince of the Kings of the Earth the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the head of all principality and power and God over all blessed for ever before whose feet all other subordinate Kings and Potentates whatsoever ought to prostrate not only their persons but Crowns and most peremptory Royall Wills and Edicts too for whose pleasure honor and glory alone all things and powers likewise both are and were created in whose cause we must be moâ—t bold and zealous not fearing the faces of any Mortals My 1. Reason shall be drawn from the very words of the Declaration of 21. Novemb. 1655. inviting the people of this commonwealth to a day of solemn Fasting and Humâ—liation on the 6. of December last a day of trouble and of rebuke of blasphemy provocation in respect of the violence acted on it that time seven years when the children were come to the birth and there was no strength to bring forth but only to obstruct and pull out the Members to prevent out peace and settlement The principal cause whereof they Declare to be The abominable Blasphemies vented and spreading of late through the Apostacy of and the abuse of Liberty by many professing Religion And to joyn with them in solemn and earnest supplications to the throne of Grace That the Lord will disappoint the designs of those that labour to lift themselves up against the interest of Christ and his people That he will rebuke the foresaid Evils and give his people to know the things that belong to their Peace that so we may with one heart and shoulder serve the Lord both theirs and ours The Jews of all other Nations in the world are the greatest venters spreaders of abominable Blasphemies against our Saviour and the Gospel the greatest Apostates from God and abusers of Liberty of any professing Religion The greatest designers plotters and lifters up of themselves against the interest of Christ and his people as the Premises undeniably evidence And their introduction amongst us at this season when the generality of the people and professors of Religion likewise are so bent to Apostacy and all kind of Errors of Novelties in Religion will no ways allay but most certainly increase the venting and spreading of abominable Blasphemies amongst us multiply the Apostacies of and abuse of liberty by the professors of Religion and make thousands in probability turn Apostate Jews instead of converting any of the Jews to Christianity It will not disappoint but most of all advance the designes of those that labour to lift up themselves against the interest of Jesus Christ and his people this being as some justly fear the Jews very end and plot in pressing now to be received amongst us to seduce us unto Judaism to which many are now inclined and to deny our Saviour Christ in words as too many have denied him in their works and some in their opinions of late years It will not rebuke but foment the foresaid Evils obstruct Gods people both from knowing and pursuing the things that concern their peace and instead of enabling them with one hâ—art and shoulder to serve the Lord divide them into more Sects and Schisms than formerly and set up Judaism to affront Christianity with open face as 2 Pet. 2.1 Jude 3.4 c. Tit. 1.10.11 1 Joh. 4.3 2 Joh. 7 resolâ—â— so multiply the late Rebukes and Judgements of God upon the Nation Therfore their re-admission into England after such a Solâ—mn Declaration and Day of Humiliation as this and some others formerly prescribed observed through the Nation for the late monstrous growth and spreading of Errors and Blasphemies amongst us if resolved and effected wilâ— be reputed by God and Men A most palpable violation yea contradiction of this Declaration and Humilation a moâ—t hypocritical Atheistical mocking of God himself to his face a most prophane abuse and perâ—ersion of this Solemn Fast and Humiliation a frustration of all the prayers hopes of most religious people thereon who observed it for far other prescribed ends and an high Provocation of Gods severest wrath against the perverters of it to this very end to introduce the long-since banished Jews the debate whereof was proposed immediately before and began the very next day after it My 2. Reason shall be deduced from the Declaration of the 24 Novemb. 1655. in order to the securing of the peace of the Commonwealth Declaring it necessary to use all good means to secure the Peace of the Nation and prevent future troubles within the same The bringing in of the Jews at this season when the people are â—o generally divided discontented and declare for ought I can learn their highest unanimous dislike and detestation of it is the most probable means to disturb the peace of the Nation and to engender future new troubles Tumults within it the generality of the people in England and in other Countries having in former ages frequently riâ—en up in armes against them massacred burnt â—nd deâ—â—royed them notwithstanding their Kings and Magiâ—â—râ—te Proclamations and Edicts to the contrary And the Jews themselves in all ages having been principle firebrands of sedition both in their own Land and all places where they
proper use and livelyhood 14 That if any of them after their baptisme apostatized and turned Iewes again or fell into Heresie they should be proceeded against and burned executed as Apostates and Hereticks 15. That no Christians should communicate with them in any kind except in buying and selling nor cohabit with serve them as a Nurse or Servant under pain of excommunication Yet notwithstanding all these restrictions and cautions we read of few Iews really converted by them and that the Iews have perverted and seduced sundry Christians to Iudaisme and made them professed Iews perswaded other Christians to observe Mosaical ceremonies besides Baptism whereby they made a confused Chaos of Religion yea they corrupted Michael Balbus the Emperor so far that he commanded Christians to fast on their Sabbath and made him as it were a sink of Sects as Zonaras and others record And Frederic Isabella banished them out of Spain upon this ground that they induced many of the Nobles in Andaluzia to become Jews as Manasseh Ben-Israel himself acknowledged p. 15.25 Yea Sedechias the Iewish Physician poysoned the Emperor Charles the Bald his body as well as others in that age and after poysoned other Christians souls What mischiefs then they may doe to mens bodies in England by poysoning of them as they did the English Barons heretofore and Dr. Lopez a Iew bribed by the Spaniard would have poysoned Queen Elizabeth of late whom he professed he loved as well as he did Iesus Christ himself and what desperate venom they may infuse into their souls by their Iewish Doctrines Synagogues and Antichristian Ceremonies if admitted without such or upon these restrictions or any other let all prudent Christians resolve Since Pope Innocent the 3. himself and Cardinal Hostiensis with other Popish Canonists who have tolerated them give us this account of their requital for it in positive terms Iudaei ingrati pro gratia reddunt contumeliam pro familiaritate contemptum impendentes nobis illam retributionem quam juxta vulgare proverbium MVS IN PERA SERPENS IN GREMIO IGNIS IN SINV suis consueverunt Hospitibus exhihere Nam sunt quidam quod nefandum est dicere Nutrices Christianas habentes non permittunt lactare filios cum corpus Christi sumpserunt nisi prius per triduum lac effuderint in latrinam quasi intelligunt quod corpus Christi incorporetur ad secessum descendat alia inaudita committunt detestâ—bilia quae a fidelibus sunt minime toleranda ne si haec nâ—gligunt quae inducunt confusionem fidei INDIGNATIONEM DIVINAM INCVRRANT As therefore Oldradus de Ponte Abbbot Panormitan Antonius Corsetus and other Popish Canonists conclude positively That Christians and Christian Kings may lawfully expel and banish all Iews and Infidels out of their Realms though peaceable for their Infidelity and other just causes So may all English Protestants likewise upon the premised reasons conclude we may as justly as lawfully now keep them from re-entring into England notwithstanding the pretence of their conversion to the Faith which I hope I have satisfactorily answered The 2. Allegation for bringing in the Iews is meerly politick That it will bring in much present and future gain and mony to the State and advance trading This is the Argument Menassah Ben-Israel most insists on p. 1. to 11.3 How profitable the Iews are adding That profit is a most powerfull motive and which all the world prefers before all other things And therefore writes he we shall handle that point first Though he handles it so that every eye may see he aims more at his own Nations profit benefit advance than ours I answer 1. That if this argument overpoysed not the scales that of conscience the hopes of their conversion would be lighter than the dust of the ballance and sticke with no man their mony being the only engin which hath opened the gate and passage for them into any Christian Kingdoms at first and made new entrance for them when they have been expelled as Concilium Toletanum 4. c. 57. and others inform us This opened their first passage into England Spain Portugal and Philip Augustus who banished them out of France An. 1182. Postea verò quum propter bella inopia laboraret pecuniae accepta grandi à Iudaeis pecunia redditum eis concessit domicilium Parisiis as Munster and others inform us And this kept them so long in England heretofore till their very banishment A sign we love their money better than their souls or our own 2ly This argument for their readmission is but wordly carnal sensual the very same with that of Hamer to the Shechemites when he would perswade them to be circumcised and turn Iews Gen. 23.25 shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours only let us consent unto them and they will dwell with us An argument only fit for such whom the Apostle characterizeth Phil. 3.18 19. For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you weeping that they are the enemies of the Crosse of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things Or for such Princes or Governours as God of old complained thus of Her Princes in the midst thereof are like Wolves ravening the prey and to shed blood and TO DESTROY SOULS TO GET DISHONEST GAIN It proceeds from such whose eyes and hearts are not but for their Covetousnes who all seek their own not the things that are Iesus Christs And if the root of it be covetousnesse which is Idolatry which Christ commands all to take heed and beware of and is not so much as to be named much lesse practised amongst Christians whose conversation ought to be without covetousnesse and they to rest contented with those things they have Because They that will be rich fall into temptations and a snare and into many foolish and noysom lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction For the Love of mony is the root of all evill which whiles some coveted after they have been seduâ—ed or erred from the faith as thousands of late years have been and pierced themselvs through with many sorrows Therfore 't is not so much as once to be named or insisted on amongst us unlesse we will renounce our Christianity make great gain our only godlinesse instead of making Godlinesse with contentment our great gain betray and sell our Saviour Christ again to the Iews like Iudas for thirty peeces of silver without repenting and making restitution of it to the Iews as he did and most blasphemously transferre our very Saviours most blessed Deity and stamp his most sweet and highest Title GOD WITH US upon a contemptible piece of white and yellow shining clay as some have lately done on all our New State coyn as if it were
Vic. Suthampton c. precipimus tibi quatenus omnes Judaeos de Balliva tua qui nondum peracquietaverunt se de Tallagio apud Bristol super eos posito vel qui statim se nunc acquietare noluerint ad Castrum de Bristol per literas tuas sine dilatione remittas et eis ibidem Constabulario nostro liberari facias Significavimus autem illi quod eos recipiat cum illuc venerint et omnes denarios quos de illis recipisti vel recepturus es sicut teipsum diligis habeas in Scaccario nostro apud Westm in crastino assumptionis beatae Mariae T. meipso apud Beneden 26 die Iulii These Jews no doubt were ordered thus to be sent to Bristol Castle to meet with such a Toothdrawer as one of them there found some years before This year King Iohn sent these Letters to his Governers and Officers in Rochel Oleron and Zaunt to cause the Jews to surcease their exaction of usury there which you formerly heard he discharged here at home Rex Majoribus et praepositis Rupellae de Aloron et de Zante salutem Mandamus vobis et singulis vestrum quod Iudaeos Balliva vestra cessare faciatis ab exactione usurarum quam faciunt Therefore their usury was suppressed condemned long before the Statute de Iudaismo in 3. E. 1. This Precept of the Kings I find thu seconded by a Decree of the Popes Legat in those parts made in the Council of Burdeaux against the Jewish Usury and rancked in the Van of all the other Decrees there enacted Haec sunt Statura quae venerabilis Pater Robert de Tur. sarrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Leg. sancti Stephani in monte Coelio Presbyter Cardinalis statuit authoritate Legationis suae in Concilio celebrato apud Burdegal cum aliis quae in Francia statuit Sicut praecepit Dominus per pro. in locis suis de Judaeis ita fiat ut scilicet Barones omnes quae tenent Judaeos compellant ipsos remittere usuras cruce signatis Et si hoc efficere contemnunt compellantur omnes mercatores per censuram ecclesiasticam ne aliquam communionem cum eis aut in contractibus aut in mercimoniis impendant aut in quibuslibet Si autem super hoc Barones incorrigibiles inveniantur censura simili percellentur In the Fine Rolls of the 17 of King Iohn pars 1 there is this pardon of a Jews debt which this King seised to his own use Dominus Rex pardonavit Nicholao de Wancy 10 lib. quas ei debuit de debitis Iudaeorum mandatum est Baronibus de Scaccario quod ipsum Nich. de praedict 10 libr. quietum esse faciant T. apud Windsore 16 Julii In the 18 and last year of King Iohn I find his Writ to the Barons of the Exchequer to allow upon the account of Hubert de Burgo amongst other things Carnarium Judaeorum Iudaearum in castro de Lossins It seems some Jews of both Sexes were then strictly imprisoned either for their Taxes or some misdemeanors not mentioned in the Record These are the most material Records I have found in my search relating to the Jews affairs during the not long but unfortunate troublesome reign of King Iohn I proceed to those of Henry the 3 his Son and Successor which are more copious various and delightfull both for matter and rarity In the very first year of King Henry the 3. being then an Infant under the wardship of the Earl Marshal his Protect some Iews being formerly arested imprison'd there issued forth these Writs and Mandates for their release the cause of rheir imprisonment not appearing Mandatum est W. Marescai juniori quod sine dilatione deliberari faciat Cheram Iudaeam de Winton quam Galfred de Laurton et Frâ—nket servientes sui ceperunt et captam detinent et ut permittant ipsam Cheram sine impedimento venire usque Winton quia Dominus Rex plenam pacem suam ei concessit T. Com. to wit W. Earl Marshal then Protector apud VVinton 22 die Aprilis Anno reg Dom. Regis primo Et mandatum est praedictis G. et Franket quod ipsam Cheram sine dilatione deliberent et sine impedimento permittant venire ad VVinton T. eodem Rex Iosceo de Plugenap salutem Mandamus vobis firmiter precipientes quod sine dilatione et occasione aliqua deliberetis et quietum abire permittatis Ioppe fil Iocei de VVilton Iudaeum quem cepistis et captum tenetis Et in hujus rei testimonium c. T. Comite apud Winton 21 die Aprilis An. reg nostri primo Rex Rico fil Rog. salutem Mandamus vobis sicut alias mandavimus firmiter praecipientes quod sine dilatione et occasione aliqua deliberetis Isaac fil Solomonis Iudaeum quem cepistis apud Winton ipsumque mittatis quietum ad Comitem VV. Marescallum Rectorem nostrum et regni nostri apud VVinton In cujus rei restimonium c. Teste Com. apud VVinton 21 die April an reg nostr primo King Henry in the second year of his raign being informed by his Counsel what great advantage he might make by the Jews upon all occasions by the advice of his Counsel sent forth thse special Writs and Lerters Patents to 24 Burgesses in each Town where the Jews resided to protect them and theirs from injury appointed special Justices for their custody and affaires and likewise confirmed all their former Liberries for protection of their persons and Estates from violence and exempting them from the Bishops Jurisdiction and all other Courts and Judicatures whatsoever but those Justices he specially appointed for their custody And likewise commanding all the Jews to wear two white Tables in their breads that thereby they might be manifestly distinguished from Christians and the better known and secured from injury and violence by thoâ—e their new Protectors Rex Constabulario et Praepositis Gloucest salutem Mandamus vobis quod â—ine dilatiâ—ne liberetis Judâ—os nostroâ— Gloucest 24. Burgensibus Gloucestriae custodiendos Nec permittaâ—is quod iâ—si Iudaei ab aliquibus vexentur maxime de Cruce signaâ—is vel aliis Nomina autem Burgensium quibus illos commiteritis custodiendos imbreviari faciatis Et ipsi c. T. Com. apud Glouc. x die Martii Anno reg nostri secundo Rex Vic Lincoln salutem Praecipimus tibi quod eligas 24. de meloribus et discretionibus Civibus Lincoln qui custodiant Iudaeos nostros Lincoln et qui non permittant quod aliquis eis malum vel injuriam faciat de Cruce signatis vel aliis qui c. T. Com. apud Oxon 30 die Marcii Rex omnibus Ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem Sciatis Nos de communi Consilio nostro attornasse dilectos et fideles nostros Ric de Doli Magist Alex. de Dorset Elyam de Suvinges ad Scaccarium Iudaeorum custodiend et ad omnia
negocia nostra quae pertinent ad officium illud rectand per totam Angliam Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedicto Ric Alex. et Elye sitis intendentes in omnibus quae spectant ad officium illud sicut fieri solebat tempore Will de Wartun Thom. de Nevil Galfr. de Norwic. T. Com. apud West 8. die Maii. Not long after the same year there were several writs sent to the Sheriff of Hereford and others to protect the Jews persons and estates from violence which the people were prone to offer to them and to preserve them from all suits and arrests against them for contracts or other things both in the Bishops Ecclesiastical Court and before the Sheriffs or Kings ordinary Justices and Judges but only before the Justices specially designed for their custody as in the time of King Iohn which writs were all sent them in this form Rex Vicecomiti Hereford salutem Scias quod de communi Concilio nostro concessimus Judaeis nostris ut ipsi maneant in Hereford sicut solebant tempore Domini Johannis Regis Patris nostri quod talem habeant communionem qualem habere consueverant inter Chrisâ—ianos Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod eos custodias mâ—nnreneâ—s protegas non eis infetens vel inferri permitteâ—â—â— aâ—iquod gravamen vel molestiam si aliquis 〈…〉 forisfecerit id eis sine dilatione facias 〈…〉 clamari facias per totam Ballivam tuam 〈…〉 pacem nostram dedimus non obstante 〈…〉 â—â—bitione inde facta ab Episcopo Hereford quia nihil ad ipsum pertiner de Judaeis nostris Et proâ—ibemus tibi ne manus mittas in eos aut in Catalla eoâ—um nec eos capias aut imprisones nec in Placitum trahas aut a Justiciariis nostris ab aliquo trahi permittas Sedu aâ—iquid fecerint quare poni debeant per vadium plegios tunc illos eorum excessus attachies quod â—â—nt coram Jusâ—iciariis nostris ad Custodiam Judaeâ—rum attornatis inde responsuri hoc facias per viâ—um legalium Christianorum Judaeorum Et non permittas quod placitentur in curia Christianitatis occasione â—â—cujus debiti Et haec omnia fieri facias sicut fieri solebant tempore Johann Regis patris nostri Teste Com. apud Tâ—â—rom London 19 die Junii Anno c. secundo Eodem modo scribitur Vicecomiti Wigorn. Vicecom Civibus Eborum Vicecomiti Constabulario Lincoln 〈◊〉 de Stanford Constabulario Bristol pro Judaeis de Bristol Vicecom Constabul Gloucest pro Judaeis Gloucestriae Vicecom Constab Northamton â—â—cecom Suthampton civibus Winton pro Judaeis There 〈◊〉 Jews then residing in all these places Iâ— the 2 year of King Henry the 3. I find this Kings â—rit to several Sheriffs where the Jews resided to proclâ—â—m that all the Jews where ever they did walk or ride should on their upper Garments wear a white â—abâ—es on their breasts made of Linnen Cloath or parchment as well within the Town as without that so they might be known from Christians Rex Vicecomiti Wigorniâ— salutem Prâ—cipimus tibi quod â—lamari observari facias per totam Ballivaâ— tâ—â—m quâ—d omnes Judaei deferunt in superiori indumento suo ubicur 〈◊〉 ambulaverint aut equitaverint infra villam vel exâ—ra quaâ—â— duas Tabulas albas in Pectore fact as de lineo pâ—atano vel dâ— parcameno Ita quod per hujusmodi signum manifeste poâ—sint Iudaei à Christianis discerni Tâ—ste Câ—mite to wit William Marshal Earl of Glâ—cester the Kings Guardâ—an and Protector apud Oxon. 30. die Martiii Item mandatum est Vicecomit Glocest VVarwick Lincoln Oxon Northampt. Majori Vicecomitious London In the Fine Roll of 2 H. 3. there is a writ directed to the Barons of the Exchequer by the King reciting Constat Nobis per inspectionem rotulorum Iustâ—ciariorum de Iudaismo c. that King Iohn his Father released Mirabilia the wife of Ely a Jew of all Debts due to him by her Husband Ita quod omnes Chaâ—â—e quâ—e fuerunt ipsius Eliae debita in eis contenta ipsi patri nâ—stro remâ—neant that King Iohn upon Elye his death seiâ—ed and granted â—ll his houses except two which Mirabilâ—â— by agreement was to have paying a fine of 15 marks to his Fatheâ— which was not yet paid which agreement he confirmâ—d and thereupon orders the Sheriff to â—â—y the â—aid Fine and Debts T. Com apud Gloc. 3. die Ian. It appears by many Rolls of â— and also of 3 4 5. H. 3. that King Iohn seiâ—ed and gaâ—e away â—o other the Houses of divers Jews both in Gloceâ—ter Oxon. Noâ—thampton and that King Hâ—nâ—y likewise diâ—poâ—ed of them as escheated to him either by the Jews deaths oâ—â—oâ— some other causes Take these two presâ—dents for all the rest Rex Fulk de Breant salutem Mandamus vobis quod sine dilatione habere fac Pho Marc. domum quae fuit Isaac Iudaei de Eboraco in Northampton et domum quae fuit Isaac Judaei Oxon in Oxon quas Dom. Jo. pr. noster dedit Galf. Luterel cujus terrae et haeredis custodiam concessimus eidem Pho. T. Com. apud West 17 die Jan. per ipsum Com. coram Dom. Winton Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Oxon. pro eodem et Ballivis Iudaeorum Oxon. pro eodem Rex Vic. Gâ—ouc salutem Constat nâ—bis per inspectionem Rotulorum nostrorum quod Dom. J. Rex pater noster dedit Guiberto de Rue Domum quae fuit Elye Iudaei Gloc. c. cum quadam placiâ—a quae fuit Mostei Judaei cum pert suis Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod eidem Guiberto de praedict domo placia plenariam seisinam sine dilatione habere fac T. Dom Pet. Winton apud Novum Templum London 23. die Sept. per eundem In the 3d. year of King Henry the 3. some Jews coming into England from foreign parts with their goods to reside there the Wardens of the Ports of England seised upon the persons and estates of these unwelcom Guests which occasioned these new Writs to be sent unto them for their free admission into England without impediment or seizure upon such security and terms as are expressed in the Writs and prohibiting the transportation of any Jews or their Chattels out of this Land into foreign parts without the Kings special Letters and Licenâ—e being once within his power Rex Custodâ—bus Portuum Angliae Praecipimus vobis quod Judaeos qui venturi sunt in teâ—ram nostram Angâ—iae de traâ—â—â—ia triâ—is partâ—bus ad morandum in terra nostra Angliae cum catalâ—is suis liberè et sine impedimento in portu nostro â—ccâ—dere permittatis accepta ab eis sufficienti securitate secundum Lâ—gem Judaeorum per fidem eorundem quod quam câ—ritis poterint veniant ad Iusticiarios nostros ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatos ad inrotuland
praedictam concessimus quod omnia negotia ipsum Aaron contingentia et quae examen judiciale requirunt coram nobis et eodem fratre nostro audiantur et prout justum fuerit terminentur Vobis mandamus quod de bonis et catallis ipsius Aaron aut aliquibus ipsum tangentibus vos in nullo intromittatis contra donationem concessionem et confirmationem supradictas nisi ex voluntate fratris nostri praedicti T. Edmund apud Westm. 24 die Maii. Eodem modo mandatum est Iohanni de Breton custodi civitatis London T. ut supra In the 18 year of King Edward the 1. I find this grant of his on the 12 day of Iune of all his Deodands to the House of the Converts for the better maintenance and support of the Converts Chapel and edifices thereof during his pleasure only Rex Iustieiariis omnibus aliis Ballivis et fideliâ—â— suis c. salutem Cum nos dudum concessimus Conversis Domus nostrae London ad sustentationem ipsorum Deodanda quae nobis accidere coram quibuscunque Iusticiariis nostris adjudicari contingent ad certum terminum jam transactum Nos concessionem illam intuitu Dei pradictis conversis convertendis coutinuare volentes concessimus eisdem conversis et convertendâ—s ad sustentationem ipsorum et fabricam Capellae suae et aedisiciorum suorum perficiendam omnia Deodanda quae Nobis ubicunque in Regno nostro Angliae accidere et coram quibuscunque Iusticiariâ—s seu Ministris nostris adjudicari contingent Habenda percipienda quamdin Nobis piacuerit T. Rege apud Westm 12 die Iunii On the 17 day of the same month and year I find this special grant made by the King to Auntlera a Jewesse to sell the inheritance of a Garden in London to any Jew and his heirs and for them to purchase it of her without being questioned or molested for it by any of his Officers which without such license she could not sell nor he purchase of her without seisure or forfeiture Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra speciali Licentiam dedimus Auntlerae quae fuit uxor Vynes fil Magistri Mossei Judaei London quod quoddam Gardinum suum quod habet in Civitate nostra London in parochia sancti Laurentii in Cattestreet vendere possit cuicunque Judaeo Gardinum illud emere volenti habendum et tenendum eidem Judaeo haeredibus suis in perpetuum eidem Judaeo quod praedictum Gardinum ab eadem Auntlera recipere possit tenore praesentium similiter licentiam concedimus specialem Nolentes quod eadem Auntlera vel haeredes sui an t praedictus Iudaeus aut haeredes sui ratione venditionis seu receptionis Gardini praedicti per nos vel haeredes nostros Justiciarios Ballivos aut alios Ministros nostros occasionentur gravantur in aliquo seu molestantur In cuâ—us c T. R apud West 17 die Junii The â—ike Patent â—â—nd to Aaron the Kings Brothers Jew forementioned to sell his house and rents in fee to any Christian who â—hould purchase them by his Lords license even after the Edict past and Letters of safe conduct granted for the Jews banishment and departure hence as appears by comparing their dates Rex omnibus c. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus licentiam dedimus Aaron fil Vynes Judaeo Edmundi fâ—atris nostri carissimi quod ipse domos et redditus suos tam infra Civitatem nostram London quam infra Regnum nostrum de licentia voluntate praedicti fratris nostri Domini sâ—i vendere possit upon his banishment hence quibuscunque Christiaenis voluerit absque impedimento nostri vel aliorum nostroâ—um quorumcunque eisdem Christianis quod domos illas redditus ab eodem Iudeo emere valeant similiter licentiam concedimus specialem iure cujuslibet in omnibus sâ—mper salvo In cujus c T. R. apud Langeleye 28 die Julii After the date is the Letters for the Jews safe conduct out of Enlgand to the Sheriffs It is very observable that these three last Patents were made but a very little before and the last of them clearly after the Jews universal banishment voted resolved both by the King and Parliament For when as the King his Justices and Parliament by all their Inquisitions Commissions Care Providence and Execution of so many Jews in all parts could no ways suppresse their â—lipping and falsifying of the Money of the Realme nor yet reforme the manifold other wickednesses and misdemeanors of the English Jewes nor all the industry and pains of the Friers Preachers nor all that liberal provisions and grants of the King forecitâ—d to the House of Converts for their comfortable â—â—pâ—ort maintenance and confirmation in the Christian faith so far operate upon their obstinate obdurate hearts as to convert any considerable number or any persons of note amongst them to the Christian faith from which many Converts apostatized nor yet suppresse their continual blasphemies against our crucified Saviour the Christian faith Sacraments of the Church and blessed Virgin Thereupon the King at the earnest frequent solicitation of the Commons assembled this year in Parliament after the Feast of St. Hilary enacte published an Edict or Decree in Parliament for the total universal and final banishment of all these wicked blasphemous unbeleeving Jews out of England then generally execrable detestable to all the people who were so desirous to be for ever quit of their company that they granted the King the 15 part of all their goods and moveables for their banishment and expulsion out of England as I have formerly proved at large by a full grand Jury of Historians and several Records in my former Demurrer against Sir Edward Cooks grosse assertion that they only voluntarily banished themselves because their usury was this year suppresâ—ed by the Stat. de Iudaismo which I have proved was made full 15 years before to be no cause at all of their exile now In pursuance of this Parliamentary Edict Decree now no where extant on Record all the Parliament Rolls before 5 Ed. 2. being whoâ—ly lost and many since by the carelessenesse or iniquity of the times except only an old Parchment Book of some Pleas in Parliam in E. 1. one Statute Roll of K. Ed. the 1. Ed. 2. and Ed. 3. wherein the Statute De Iudaismo with many other printed Acts are not to be found no more than this Edict for the Jews banishment though mentioned in many Histories and Records the King in this very monâ—th of Iuly sent several Writs Letters and Patents to the Sheriffs of Counties Mayors of Towns Bayliffs and Barons of the Cinqueports and likwise to Mariners reciting that he had prescrib'd a certain time term day to all and every of the Iews within the Realm for their departure out of it into forraign parts commanding them not to doe nor suffer any
the like 7. That notwithstanding all the Injuries Oppressions Indignities cruelties they here sustained both from our Kings their Officers the generality of the people by Gods just curse and vengeance on them fot their sins yea notwithstanding all means used by our Kings Magistates Bishops preaching Friers and others both for their reformation and conversion to the Christian Faith yet the generality of them continued persevered still in their willfull obstinacy infidelity blindnesse enmity malice blasphemies despite against our crucified Saviour and Christianity which they manifested upon all occasions in publike and private by circumcising and crucifying chistian children breaking the Crucifix in Oxford and trampling it under foot in the midst of the Universities soleme Procession and otherwise expressed at large in the forementioned records as likewise in their extorsions clipping and falsifying moneys Charters usuries frauds rapes murders forgeries very few of them turning Christian converts and that either to save their lives or prevent some imminent dangers to their persons families estates and those of the poorer sort for the most part to get a present livelyhood from the Christians who frequently turned Apostates or flagitious malefactors to the scandal of religion 8. That the Jews here had their Synagogues Schools Priests Presbyter and Comptroller of their Exchequer Escheator Cofferers Cyrographers Attornies Bayliffs with their proper Judges and Court of Exchequer wherein only they were to be sued proceeded against and by whom they were Iudged their Prisons Attachers Tax-Masters Record-Keepers ordered in all things according as the King by his Writs and Letters directed All which Offices were appointed by the Kings special Patents Writs whose Names Powers Jurisdictions Salaries together with their legal trials and proceedings of all sorts civil criminal the forms of their Starrs Charters Extents of Lands assignments of Debts Releases Reliefs Fines with the names of the chiefest Jews are registred and most clearly fully related in the forecited Records and in no other prinâ—ed History or Law-book whatsoever 9. That the Jews were exempt from all other Temporal and Ecclesiastical Courts and Jurisdictions but the Justices specially appointed for their custody and the Kings Exchequer for the Jews yea from all publike Taxes imposed on the English and could not be excommunicated by the Masters of their Law without the Kings special license 10. That the Iews usury was no ways counâ—enanced nor approved but generally condemned and frequently released by our Kings long before the Statute de Judaismo which most infallibly appears to be made in 3 Ed. 1. not in 18. as Sir Edward Cook very grosly mistook And that the banishment of their Usury by it was not the cause of their voluntary banishment hence as he most fondly conceited 11. That the Presbyteratus Judeorum totius Angliae was not the High Priests spiritual function as Sir Edward Cook and others affirm but only a temporal office and Comptrolership in the Kings Exchequer of the Jews 12. That our Kings and Auncestors in times of Popery made and published â—undry excellent Ordinances against the blasphemies abuses of the Jews and were very zealous industrious to convert them to Christianity and carefull to maintain support confirm and provide for them when converted in their Domus Conversorum That King Edward the first remitted his right to all the goods of convert Jews by an unchristian usage confiscated formerly to the Crowne by their very conversion allowing all Converts the moity of their estates to maintain them and granting the other moity of their Estates together with his Deodands and all forfeitures and Chevages of the Jews for the support of the Converts and their House Chappel Chaplains Yet very few of them were converted 13. That King Edward the 1 in the 18 year of his reign did by publike Edict of Parliam actually banish all the Jews out of England except the Converts by a set prefixed day beyond all contradiction much against the Jews good wills as I have undeniably proved by sundry Records forecited here and by multitudes of Historians in my first Demurrer against Sir Edw. Cooks grosse error A truth so clear that the very Jews themselves as I am informed by those best versed in their Manuscript Antiquities do make special mention of this their Banishment out of England in their Chronicles in Manasseh Ben-Israels custody taking their later computations of years from thence as a time very remarkable and ominous to their whole Nation And well might they do so seeing learned Mr. Edward Brerewood in his Enquiries touching the diversities of Languages and Religions throughout the chief parts of the world London 1614. c. 13. p. 92. assures us that The first Country of Christeâ—â—om whence the Iews were expelled without hope of Return was our Country of England whence they were Banished Anno 1290. by King Edward the first By which example Not long after they were likewise banished France Anno 1307. by Philippus Pulcher Only of all the Countries of France in the Iurisdiction of Avignon the Popes State some are remaining Out of Spain An. 1492. by Ferdinand and shortly after out of Portugal Anno 1539. by Emanuel Out of the Kingdome of Naples and Sicilie Anno 1539. by Charls the V. as he there writes Out of which Sir Edward Cooke might have as well averred they only voluntarily banished themselves as that they voluntarily banished themselves out of England withâ—ut any special Edict for their exile thence What other particulars of lesâ—er moment concerning the Jews occurre in these Records I have formerly touched in their respective places and shall here omit Having thus compleated my JUDAISMUS ANGLICANUS REDIVIVUS if I may so stile it or Chronological Collections of the Historical and Legal affairs of the English Jews out of the rich unknown Magazine of our generally neglected slighted precious old Records which Hugh Peters the great New-modeller Reformer of our former Lawes Liberties Government Kingdom Republike Church Religion Justice Law Merchandise Navy the Poor and what not but himself out of his rash fiery Zeal and transcendent ignorance would now make all new Martyrs but yet be none himself For which end in his Good Work for a good Magistrate London 1651. after his proposal of A short Model for the Law p. 28. c. he concludes with this advice as a Good Work fit for his good Magistrate p. 33. This being done It is very advisable to burn all the old Records yea even those in the Tower the Monuments of Tyranny that so his New Whimâ—es only might be known and adored for our English Lawes and Monuments in all succeeding ages I shall therefore crave Liberty to inform the World and this Ignoramus of the incomparable Excellency Utility Necessity of preserving these Records which he hath so brutishly devoted to the fire before he either knew their contents or worth which our Ancestors even in all former Wars Revolutions as well as times of peace and settlement preserved with much
care and cost as the richest Pearls Treasures and Jewels of the Nation To which I answerâ— 1. That all our wisest Kings Parliaments Ancestors Statesmen in former ages had ever a special care to record all businesses of publike or private ocncernment and to preserve our ancient Records as the choicest Treasures appointing special Treasuâ—ies places to preserve them in and Custodes Râ—tulorum Treasurers Chamberlains Registers Clerks to keep them safe from injury corrupting and embeâ—â—lâ—ing and enacting many Statutes for this purpose wiâ—neâ—â—e not only the Chests Cyrographers Officers and oâ—hers forementioned for keeping the Records and Charteâ—s of the Jews and their Rolls but also 13 E. 1. c. 25.30 1 E. 3. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 12. 9 E. 3. c. 5. 6 R 2. c. 4. 13 H. 4. c. 7. 2 H. 5. c. 8. 4 H. 6. c. 3. 8 H. 6. c. 12.15 10 H. 6. c. 4. 18 H. 6. c. 1.9 27 H. 8. c. 16. 32 H. 8. c. 28. 34 H. 8. c. 22.28 37 H. 8. c. 1. 2 E. 6. c. 10.3 4 E. 6. c. 1.1 2 Phil. Mar. c. 2. 23 Eliz. c. 3. 27 Eliz. c. 9. 31 Eliz. c. 3. 1 Jac. c. 6. with other Acts And must they now after all these Statutes be all maâ—e a burnt-offring unto Vulcan upon the crack-brain'd Motion of an Ignatian Incendiary 2. The Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 12. still in force Oâ—daiâ—s That if any Record or parcel of the same writ retoriâ— paâ—el proces or warrant of Attorney in the Kiâ—gs Couâ—ts of Chancery Eschequer the one Bench or other or in his Treasury be willingly stolen taken away withdrawn or avoided by any Clerk or other Person by cause whereof any judgement be reveâ—sed 〈…〉 â—alâ—r taker away wiâ—hdrâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and avoider their Procurers Counsellors and Abettors being thereof inaâ—â—ted and by process theâ—eupon 〈◊〉 thereof duly convict by their own confession or by enquest to be taken by legal men whereof the one half shall be of the men of some Court of the same Courts and the other halâ— of â—â—her shall be judged for Felons and shall incurre the pain of Felons And that the Iudgâ—s of the saiâ—â—ourâ—â—â— of the one Bench and of the other have power to hear and detâ—rmine such defaults before them and thereoâ— to mâ—ke due puniâ—hment as is aforesaid And now Hugh Peters if I may be thy Counselâ—or in sober sadnesse look to thy neck which as thou hast oft indangered forfeited by thy late Fire-works to blow up Kings Kingdoms Parliaments Lords our old fundamental Lawes Liberties Government as Straffords Canterburies late Impeachments Sentences with Mr. St. Iohns and others Arguments at their Attaâ—ndâ—rs will resolve thee and thy open treasonable advising abetting the seising imprisoning of my self and above 40 more Members of Parliament in Hell on the bare boards Decemb. 6. 1648. whose names thou didst then list with an iron Sword under thy arme instead of the Sword of the Spirit So this thy Iesuitical Project to burn all our old Records whereby all former Judgement Titles Fines Recoveries c. will be nulled reversed which thou publickly abettest counsellest thy Magistrate to effect in Print proclaimes thee by thine own Confession without other evidence a Notorious Felon within this Act in the highest degree The burning avoiding of all our Records in general being a more transcendent Felony yea Treason to the whole Kingdom Nation than the embezelling only of one or two private Records or Writs relating but to one private person And if ever thou be brought to a legal Trial for it before such a Iury and such Iudges as this Act prescribes thou art sure to undergoe a Halter-Martyrdome at Tyburne which all will cry up according to thy Pamphlets Title for A good work of a good Magistrate and a short cut to great quiet for thy devoting all our old Records to a fiery Martyrdom in Smithfield which I trust they shall never undergo And that upon these enâ—uing weighty Considerations First theâ—e old Records which he would have burnt contain in them all the antient Rights Titles Evidences Charters Agreements Leagues Compacts of the Kings Kingdom Nation and people of England to all their pristine and present Dominions Jurisdictions Prerogatives Preheminences Priviledges Hereditaments and enjoyments both at home and abroad by Land and by Sea as they are a Kingdom Nation Republike body Politick in general and that both in relation to themselves and their own intrinsecal affairs at home as they have been owned reputed negotiated treated with upon special occasions as a Kingdom Nation Republike by any forraign Kings Princes Kingdoms States whose ancient undoubted Rights Titles to all or any of our Dominions Territories Jurisdictions Royalties cannot otherwise be legally câ—eared judicially evidenced upon any emergenr occasion or controversie between our Kingdom Nation and other Forraign States and Realms or between our selves at home but by our old Records the only publike evidences of the whole Kingdom and English Nation as necessary to defend maintain justifie their common publick Rights Dominions Possessions Jurisdictions Claims priviledges upon all occasions as any private Noble or Gentlemans ancient Charters Records Writings are to defend manifest his right and Title to his private Inheritance and Injoyments witnesse the famous Letter of the King Parliament and Nobles of England written and sent to the Pope Anno 1302. to clear the subordination of Scotland to the Crown of England and the Homage of the Kings of Scotland made for their kingdom to the Kings of England as their superiour Lords from time to time manifested by the ancient Histories and Records of England beyond all contradiction Mr. Selden his Mare Clausum proving the Dominion and Jurisdiction of the Kings of England oâ—er the Narrow Seas by Records and Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma Therefore it must necessarily be as bad and mad a worke for a bad and mad Magistrate to burn all the publick Evidences and Records of the whole Kingdom and Naâ—ion upon the frantick motion of a Bedlam in this particular as for a Great landed Nobleman to burre all the old Charters Evidences of his Lands and Honors or for a rich Usurer to burn all his Bonds and Morgages which all wise men will repute an act of Frenzy and Hugh Peters too in his right senses 2. They contein in them all the great publike Charters Contracts Agreements Leagues formerly granted or made by the Kings of England to or with the Prelates Earles Barons Freemen Commons of England Ireland Scotland Wales Gernsey Iersy Man and all other Isles and Dominions belonging to the Crown of England in general all Charters Patents Grants Contracts Writs Releases Gifts Pardons Offices Honors Liberties Franchises Customs Priviledges Faires Markets Inheritances Rents Revenues Licences compositions formerly granted by our Kings to the respective Counties Cities Towns Burroughs Villages Hundreds Arch-bishops Bishops Deans Chapters Prebends Abbies Priories Nunneriâ—s Colledges Hospitals Free-schools Universities great Officers Chancellors Generals Admirals Marshals