circumcidendo ut dicitur suis literis mitti faciat ad custos eorum usque London liberandos ibidem Constabulario Turris London cui Rex praecepit per literas suas quas eidem Vic. mittit ei mittendas quod eos recipiat et eos salvo custodiat T. R. apud West 21 die Novemb. The Indictment and whole Proceedings against them I have elsewhere at large related And this respit of their trial for which they paid a fine De Respectu Rex Iustic suis itinerant in Com. Suff. salutem Mandamus vobis quod Iudicium quod faciendum est de quibusdam Iudaeis de Norwic. qui capti sunt et detenti in prisona nostra pro transgressione quam fecerunt de quodam puero Christiano circumcidendo â—ponatis in respectum coram nobis apud London usque in 15 dies a die Sancti Hil. An. r. n. 19. accepta prius securitate de praedictis Iudaeis de centum marcis ad opus nostrum reddendis pro hoc respectu habendo Et habeatis tunc coram nobis recordum illius loquelae Mandamus enim Vic. Norf. quod cum festinatione praedictos Iudaeos mitti faciat usque Lond. liberandos ibidem Constabulario Turris nostrae London T. R. apud Westm 21 die Novemb. The same year the King sent this writ to the Sheriff of Northfolk and Suffolk to proclaim That no Iew should lend any money from thenceforth to any Christian that held any Demeasne Lands of the King in Socage or Villenage upon the lands themselves but only upon their chattels and moveables under pain of losing the money lent or falling under the Kings amerement Rex Vicecom Norf. Suff. salutem Praecipimus tibi quod clamari facias per totos Comitatus tuos Quod nullus Iudaeus de caetero aliquam pecuniam credat alicui Christiano qui teneat de nobis in Dominicis et Maneriis nostris per servicium Scocagii uel Villenagii super tetram vel tenementum aliquod quod sit de Dominico nostro set si ipsi Christiani mutuam videlicet a Iudaeis pecuniam recipere vellint illam recipiant super vadium catallorum et rerum mobilium Et si aliquis contra hoc praeceptum nostrum in posterum venire presumpserit Iudaeus pecuniam sic creditam amittat et in misericordiam nostram incidat et Christianus similiter tenementum suum in perpetuum videlicet illud quod tam temere contra praeceptum nostrum obligaverit amittat Teste Rege apud Certes 1 die Sept. The same year Mandatum est Vic. Buck. quod non permittat quod aliquis Judaeus de caetero maneat in villa de VVeycumbe sed Iudaeos qui ibidem sunt manentes sine dilatione amoveri fac et maneant in aliis villis in quibus prius manete consueverant T. R. apud Herwic 28 die Novemb. This year I find this notable proclamation Mandatum est Vicecomiti Norf. et Suff. quod in Civitate de Norwic. et singulis bonis vâ—llis Com. suorum clamori faciat quod nulla faemina Christiana de caetero serviat Iudaeis ad alendos puerulâ—s suos vel in aliquo alio officio Teste R. apud VVestm 20 die Ian. per ipsum regem Vrsilla filia Hamonis de Hereford Judaei pays a fine of 5000 marks pro habendis terris domibus et omnibus debitis et catallis quae fuerunt praedict Hamonis to be paid at certain days Such Fines of Iews to enjoy their fathers houses and chattels are frequent in the Fine Rolls Isaac a Jew was this year fined 100l de pluribus transgressionibus de quibus convactus fuit coram Justic Dom. Reg. ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis In this year also the King discharged Aaron a Jew of York from all Tallages whatsoever during his life paying annually into his Exchequer one hundred marks yearly at two terms for his exemption Rex omnibus ad quos presentes litterae perveniunt salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Aaron de Ebor. Judaeo quod ipse toto tempore vitae suae quietus sit de Taâ—lagio reddendo pâ—r annum ad Scac. nostrum Cent. marc ad duos terminos scil 50 mar ad fest Pasch et 50 marc ad festum Sancti Michis Ita quod de debitis quae nobis debuit de quibus finem fecit nobiscum reddend per annum ad Scac. nostrum cent solidos qutetus erit per praedict 100 mar an In cujus c. T. R. apud Suthan 13 die Feb. Et mandatum est Iusticiariis ad custodiam Iudeorum per literas clausas quod ita fieâ—i et irrotulari faciant VVhich exemption is frequently mentioned and ratified afterwards and yet availed him very little as I have elsewhere manifested out of Mat. Paris Aaron de York to pay 100 marks per an to the Kings Exchequer to be free from taxes during all his life In 20 H. 3. I find this pardon of Usury due to a Jew by the King Rex pardonavit Roberto de Pedtiling totam usuram debitorum quibus tenetur Isaac Judaeo Nottingh et Benedicto Judaeo Warwic salva praedictis Judaeis â—orte predict debitorum Et mandatum est Justiciariis ad custod Judaeorum assignatis quod de usura praedicta ipsum Robertum quietum else et ad sortem eorundem debitorum praedict Judaeis redendam eidem Roberto rationabiles terminos habere faciant T. Rege apud Winton 10 die Iunii This year the Inhabitants of Suthampton being weary of the Jews company who intruded themselves into the Town procured this grant from the King to be quit of them unlesse by special command for the future Rex concessit Burgensibus suis Suthampton quod nullus Iudaeus de caetero maneat apud Suthampton sine speciali praecepto Regis Et mandat est Iusticiariis ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod illinc nullum Iudaeum mittant ad manendum ibi nec aliquem ibi remanere permittant sine speciali praecepto Regis T. Rege apud Winton 21 die Iunii I conceive all corporations in England will be as unwilling to entertain any Iews now to dwell amongst them as the Inhabitants of Suthampton and those of Newcastle and Wickham forementioned were to receive them in that age In this year I find one Iew extending the lands of another Iew for a debt by this VVrit to their Iustices for that end Mandatum est Iustic ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod per Sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum extendi faciant Domos et terras Aaronis Benedicti Suthampton in Suthampt. et in la Hull videlicet quantum valeant per annum in dominicis redditibus serviciis villenag et omnibus aliis exitibus et fac extendi praedict eidem Aaroni rationabilem finem et rationabiles terminos habere fac ad debita in quibus tenetur David Iudaeo Oxon. et Deuleben fil Urseâ— Iudaeo Winton secundum valorem praedictar
Judeorum assignatis quod pro predictis quinque marc ipsos Judeos non distringant Teste Rege apud Windesor primo die Maii. Mandar est c. quod distringi faciant terras quae fuerunt Mathei Peverel c. for a debt due to a Jew and to others to answer a debt to Aaron the Jew In the 33 of H. 3. I find these records concerning the Jews An Extent of Robert de Muntenay in Littlebar of a Jews land per Sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum extendi fac c. The King himself in that age appointed the Jews Bayliffs in the Eschequer as is evident by this record Mandatum est Justic ad custodiam Judeorum assign quod non permittant quod aliquis Judeus habeat aliquam Ballivam ad Scacc. Judeorum praeter Jacobum Episcoâ—um Abrah fil Vines et Jacob fil Flurye et si Elyas Episcopus qui prius fuit ad dictum Scac. resideat ad idem Scac. per preceptum Regis tunc Rex vult quod reâ—ipiant Aaron fil Abraham tanquam socium suum T. R. apud Westm xi die Julii anno c. The King then likewise appointed the Clerks of the Jews Exchequer and the Cirographers of their publick Chests as this record doth manifest Rex vult quod Abraham fil Vines sit clericus Regis in Scac. suo Iudeorum et quod sit Cyrograph Archae Regis Cyrograforum Iudaeorum apud London loco Abrahamae fil Muriell Et ideo mandatum est Justic. ad custodiam Judeorum assignatis quod acceptis ab eodem Abrahamo fil Vines sufficientibus plegiis de fidelitate ipsum ad praemissa Officia admittant et clavem Archae Cirographorum quam Abraham fil Muriel habet eidem liberari faciant T. R. apud Westm xxix die Junii Rex vult quod Aaron fil Abraham Iudeus London resideat ad Scaccarium Regis Iudeorum tanquam Vines c. ut supra T. R. apud Winton 26 die Maii. The same year I find an Extent of John of Coniz of Brewineston his Land for a Debt to a Jew per sacram proborum et legalium hominum extendi fac c. T. R. apud VVestm 9 die Maii. The same year Aaron of Yorke agreed again with the King to pay a certain Tax to him yearly expressed in this Patent Rex omnibus c. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Aaroni filio Abrahami Iudeo quod sicut talliatus fuit ad decem octo libras coram Nobis ad terminum Sancti Michaelis Anno c. 33. sic tallietur ad quatuor Annos sequentes ad triginta et sex libras singulis annis praedictorum quatuor annorum videlicet ad festum Paschae Anno c. 34 to ad 18 libras et ad festum Sancti Michaelis proximo sequâ—nâ— ad 18 libras et sie DE ANNO IN ANNUM ad eosdem terminos ad 36 libras Ita quod post praefatum terminum praedictorum quatuor annorum ad majorem pecuniae summam modo talliâ—tur In cujus c. Teste Rege apud VVindsore 21 die Sept. In the Fine Rolls of this year I find these Passages relating to the Jews who all joyntly and severally made great fines to the King this year particularized in the Fine rolls what sum every Jew whose name is there entred at large was to pay to the King whereof take this brief account of some few as a pattern of all â—he rest Mandatum est Vic. Kanc. quod si Judei Cantuaâ— invenerint securitatem sufficientem de 7 l. 8 s. 8 d. de novo Tallagio super eos assesso de 11 l. 17 s. 5 d. de veteri Tallagio super eos assesso ad aurum Regi inde emendum unde alias recepit mandatum Regis ita quod pecuniam illam habeat in manu sua quod inde Regi respondere rossit ad Scacc. Regis in Crastino Sancti Michaelis tunc praefatos Judeos permittat in pace ita quod eos non distringat pro aliquo alio Tallagio donec aliud a Rege acceperit in mandatis T. R. apud Merton 12 dle Sept. Mandat est Vic. Ebor. quod sicut se ipsum diligit habeat ad Scac Regis in Octabis Sancti Michaelis de Aaron de Ebor. Judeo de novo Tallagio â—uper eum assesso 16 l. 11 s. Et de eodem de veteri Tallagio uper eum assesso unde Vic. alias recepit mandatum Regis 26 l. 7 s. et de caeteris Judeis Civitatis Ebor. de novo Tallagio 14 l. 11 s. et de eiâ—dem de veteri Tallagio unde Vic. alias recepit mandat Regis 23 l. 7 s. ad aurum Reg. inde emendum T. ut supra Eodem modo scribitur de Iudaeis Exon de Tallag Vic. Devon De Iudeis Bedford Merlebr Bristoll Warw. Glocest Cantebr London Norwic. Colecester Winton Wigorn Hereford Oxon Nottingh Northampton Lincoln and other Towns and to their respective Sheriffs to levy the particular sums both of the New and Old Tallage forementioned there specified in like manner as to the Sheriff of Yorke which particulars fill up an whole roll well nigh In the same Roll the King respites Jacobus Le Eveske a Jew and Flora his daughter a fine of 45 l. 6 s. 8 d. pro Relevio et aliis finibus and sundry other Jews there named paid the like Fines pro Relevio upon their Parents deaths to injoy their estates to be paid at certain times â—here limited into the Exchequer Et mandatum est Baron de Scac. et Justic ad custod Judeorum assignatis quod â—ic fieri et irrotulaâ—i faciant T. R. apud Guldeford 13 die Sept. The like Fines for relief pro terris catallis Patris eorum ratione relevii Regi contingentibus paid by sundry Iews I meet with in 34 H. 3. and many Fine Rolls else throughout his reign and in Edward the 1. which I pretermit it being entred of some Dederunt Regi 20 s. auri or some other sum of gold prae manibus In 34 H. 3. There was a tax of ten thousand marks imposed on the Jews and this composition made between the King and Salmon Bishop a Jew concerning it future Taxes thus entred in the Fine roll of that year Rex concessit Salmoni Episcopo Judeo London quod de Tallagio 10 mil. marc per annum sit ad 20 l. dum Tallagium Judeorum sit in tali statu et si crescat Tallagium Judeorum crescat ejus portis quae ipsum continget de Tallagio praedicto et si decrescatur simili modo Ita tamen quod si tota Communitas Judeorum Regi gâ—avetur de Tallagio praedicto aut summa X. millium marc debeat decrescere eo quod idem Salmon est ad talem summam respondeat idem Iudeus ad liberatum librae suae de praedict 20 l. sicut alii Judei faciunt in tallagio suo
debts for 5 years with a confirmation thereof and repeal of all subsequent grants to the contrary And a Grant of one Jews debt to another and power to levy it notwithstanding any former pardons and releases thereof In the Plea Rolls of Hilary Term Anno 52 H. 3. in the Treasury of the Exchequer there are several Legal suits and proceedings before the Justices of the Jews in the Exchequer some whereof I shall transcribe Decanus et Capitulus Linc. per suum attornatum opt se 4 die versus Mosseum de Warwic de placito quod injustè ab eis exigit debitum per quandam cartam falsam et contra Assisam Iudaismi confectam ut dicunt et ipse non venit Et praeceptum fuit Constabulario quod ipsum attachiari faciat ita qued haberet corpus eâ—us coram Justiciariis c. Upon which the Constable returned Quod dictus Mosseus Non est inventus c. Et similiter praeceptum est Vicecomiti Linc. quod attachiari faciat o. In this Roll there are divers Actions against Jews De Placito acquietationis debiti c. to discharge them of Debts and to deliver up their Charters Pawnes and Morgages pretended to be discharged released pardoned or satisfied Done de Walingford petit versus Henricum Cobbe custodem haeredis et terrarum Nicholai Cuppins medietatem unius Messuagii in parochia Sancti Petri in Winton quae quondam fuit Dyay viri sui unde ipse Dyay vir ipsius ipsam secundum Legem et consuetudinem Iudaismi dotavit c. In the 7th Roll there is a Confirmation of the Kings of certain Debts and Annuities assigned by Hagino Son of Moses a Jew to Adam of Stratton and this ensuing Writ to the Sheriff of Essex and elswhere to discharge one Peter Fitz-Roger of all Debts due to the Jews after proclamation made in the Schools and Synagogues of the Iews two or three Sabbaths and not suing for them within a prefixed time after such Proclamations returned Praeceptum fuit Vicecomiti Essex quod clamari faciat per Scolas Judeorum Colecester per duo vel tria Sabbata si aliquis Judeus vel Judea aliquod Debitum exigere poterit de Rogero filio Petri filii Gilberti de debito suo proprio vel c. tunc essent ad compotum Et Vicecomiti mandatur tam Litera Latina quam Hebraica quod nullus Judeus vel Judea aliquod Debitum exiget de predicto Rogero c. Eodem modo praeceptum fuit Constabulario Castri Norwic. and others by writs both in Latin and Hebrew and the certificate returned upon these writs was made both in Latine and Hebrew The usual form in that age in such cases In like manner Praeceptum fuit Constabulario Turris London quod clamari faciat per Scolas Judaeorum London per duo vel tria Sabbata si aliquis Iudeus vel Iudea aliquod Debitum exigere poterit c. that then they should come in ad computandum c. and the returns of them are in Hebrew and Latin In the same Roll there is a recital of a Charter made by the King dilecto fratri et fideli nostro Willielmo de Valence et haeredibus vel assignatis of an Annuity of 50 marks yearly wherein Peter Fitz Matthew was bound to Aaron ben Abraham a Iew of London usque in finem saeculi the usual form of the Iews charters in cases of fee simple which Annuity the Iew had given to the King In the end of the Charter the King warrants the gift Secundam Assisam Iudaismi In the dorse of the same Roll there is a Confirmation by the King of an Assignment of Annuities Debts to William Charls by Sampson Son of le Mestre a Jew and a VVrit Iusticiariis ad custodiam Iudaeorum assignatis to inroll the Patent dated ad Clarendon with divers other writs of that nature In the 8 Roll * of the Pleas that year there is this writ to the Sheriff Henricus Dei gratia c. Vicecomiti Essex salutem Constat Justiciariis nostris ad custodiam Judeorum assignatis per inspectionem Rotulorum de Scaccario nostro scilicet quod Aaron filius Duessad vendidit et demiâ—â—t dilecto et fideli nostro G. de Clare Com. Glouc. et Hereford unum debitum de 20 l. de feodo sub nomine Willielmi de Bernham et Magistri Elye Iudei together with other Debts c. Et quod praedictus Aaron habuit seisinam per praeceptum nostrum de terris tenementis quae fuerunt praedictorum VVillielmi et Roberti another of the Debtors in Borham pro debitis praedictis quam quidam seisinam praefatus Comes habuit per praeceptum nostrum occasione venditionis praedictae de terris et tenementis praedictis Ac postmodum Iohanna quae fuit uxor Will. de Berneham et Iohannes Anger in Curia nostra coram Nobis recuperaverunt seisinam de praedictis terris tenementis per Judicium Curiae nostrae praedictae Et quia eadem seisina sic prefatis Iohannae et Iohanni adjudicata c. nihil debet praejudicare predicto Comiti quin secundum Assisam et Consuet udinem Judaismi nostri habeat talem seisinam de terris et tenetis praedictis qualem prius habuit occasione dictorum debitorum ut predictum est Tibi praecipimus quod seisinam quam praefatus Comes prius habuit de terris et tenementis predictis eidem rehabere facias c. In the same Roll there is this Inquisition made upon the Murder of a Jew slain at Oxford Praeceptum fuit Constabulario Castri Oxoniae et Cyrographo Christiano et Judeo Archae Cyrograph ejusdem quod per Sacramentum 12 Iudeorum inquirant quae bona et catalla Iacobus Baseni de Oxon Judeus Oxon interfectus habuit die quo interfectus fuit Eodem modo preceptum est Ballivis Oxon quod per Sacramentum 12 Christianorum inquirant quae catalla dictus Iacobus habuit die quo interfectus fuit c. Which will well explain the Articles in the ancient Eyres and the manner of Inquiry and proceedings thereon De catallis Iudaeorum occisorum c. In the Plea Rolls of the same year and Term there is this record manifesting that all Debts and Stars of converted Jews belonged to the King Iospin fil Solomon de Merlebridge shews to the Court that Iocette his Sister was married to Salom filius Lumbard of Kirkland Et quod ipsa habuit in Archa Cyrogr. Merlebridge unum Cyrographum de 32 marcis sub nomine suo et Hugonis Lovel Rectoris Ecclesiae de Rudburn that Iocette became a convert Christian and then did Solomon alter the Deed in his own name Quae quidem Carta fuit Domini Regis per conversionem praedictae Jocettae et quod hoc totum sit verum obligat omnia bona c. out of spight to his Sister for that she was
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
suspected And some affirmed that the Lord had wrought miracles for the child And because it was found that the Iews at other times had perpetrated such wickedness and the holy bodies crucified had been solemnly received in the Church and likewise to have shined brightly with miracles although the prints of the 5 wounds appeared not in the hands and feet side of the said corps yet the Canons of St. Paul took it violently away and solemnly buried it in their Church not far from the great Altar The same year 1241. The Barons in Parliament ordered That there should be one Justice at the least appointed for the Jews by the nomination of the Parliament In the year of our Lord 1250. King Henry the 3d. burning with a covetous desire commanded money to be extorted from the Jews without all mercy so as they might seem to be altogether and irrecoverably impoverished exacting what monies soever they had in their chests Notwithstanding although they were miserable yet they were pittied by none because they were often proved and convicted to have been counterfeiters as well of monies as of seals And to passe by the monies of others we shall only mention one that their malice may the more appear to them There was a certain rich Jew having his abode and house at Berkamstede and Wallingford Abraham in name not in faith who was very dear to Earl Richard who had a very beautifull wife and faithful to him named Flora. This Jew that he might accumulate more disgrace to Christ caused the Image of the Virgin Mary decently carved and painted as the manner is holding her Sonne in her bosom This Image the Jew placed in his house of Office and which is a great shame and ignomy to expresse blaspheming the Image it self as if it had been the very Virgin her self threw his most filthy and not to be named excrements upon her days any nights and commanded his wife to do the like Which when his wife saw after some days she grieved at it by reason of the Sex and passing by secretly wiped off the filth from the face of the Image most filthily defiled Which when the Jew here husband had fully found out he therefore privily and impiously strangled the woman her self though his wife But when these wicked deeds were discovered and made apparent and proved by his conviction although other causes of death were not wanting he was thrust into the most loathsome Castle of the Tower of London Whence to get his freedom he most certainly promised That he would prove all the Jews of England to have been most wâ—cked Traitors And when as he was greatly accused almost by all the Jews of England and they endeavoured to put him to death Earl Richard interceded for him Whereupon the Jews grievously accusing him both of the clipping of money and other wickednesses offered Earl Richard a thousand marks if he would noâ— protect him which notwithstanding the Earl refused because he was called his Jew This Jew Abraham therefore gave the King 700 marks that he might be freed from perpetual imprisonment to which he was adjudged the Earl assisting him therein The King thereupon at the same time sent the Justices of the Jews throughout all England to search out all their mony both in Debts and Possessions and with them a certain most wicked and mercilesse Jew that he might wickedly and falsly accuse all the rest against the truth who verily reprehended the Christians pittying and weeping over the affliction of the Jews and called the Kings Bayliffs luke-warm and effeminate and gnashing with his teeth over every Jew affirmed with many great Oathes that they could give twice as much more to the King then what they had given although he most wickedly lyed against his own head This Jew that he might more effectually hurt the rest revealed all their secrets dayly to the Kings Christian Exactors In the mean time the King ceased not to scrape money together from all hands but principally from the Jews so thaâ— from one Jew alone born and living in York called Aaron because he was convicted of falsifying a Charter as was reported he extorted 14000 marks and 10000 marks of gold for the Queens use for a little times respite that he might not languish in prison All which sums being paid it was found that this Aaron had paid to the King since hiâ— return from foreign parts 30000 marks of silver and two hundred marks of gold to the Queen as the said Aaron upon the attestation of his honour and faith averred to Matthew Paris who records it Yet notwithstanding although the Jews might be pittied yet were they pittied by no man seeing they were corrupters and counterfeiters of the Kings money and of charters and manifestly and frequently proved condemned and reprobated as such King Henry Anno 1251. Decreed to destroy all the Jews in his Kingdom but some of his Counsellors disswaded him from it and that they should rather be left as Vagabonds like Cain that their misery by this means might be set before the eyes of men in all ages Whereupon the Kings mind was mitigated and his Decree abolished Notwithstanding he seriously prohibited them the eating of flesh in Lent and on Fridays Phâ—lip Luuel Clerk called to the service of the King and deputed to the custody of the Jews Anno 1251. was grievously accused before the King his adversaries affirming that when he and Nicholas of St. Albans Clerk were sent towards the Northern parts to tax and squeeze the Jews he privily received most precious Vessels from a certain Jew that he might spare him in his Tallage to the King and that he likewise took secret gifts from others that he might spare them and that he opprest these Jews notwithstanding to the dammage of the King and the violation of his Faith Whereupon the King being very angry commanded Philip himself to be unworthily handled until he should satisfie him for this great transgression Philip hereupon a crafty and circumspect man humbly craved advice and assistance from the Lord John Mansel the Kings Prime Counsellor concerning his great tribulation because he had promoted him to the Kings service who effectually procured that he recovered the kings favor giving him a great summe of money for it a thousand marks as was reported Yet notwithstanding he was removed from his Office and not a little disgraced It seems the kings Officers could fleece the Jews in that age by secret Bribes and Gifts as well as himself by intollerable Exactions King Henry the III. to satisfie the Popes desire in taking a Voyage to the Holy Land Anno 1252. extorted from the Jews whatsoever those miserable wretches might seem to have not only by scraping or excoriating but even by unbowelling them Being also an Hydropical thirster after gold he so greedily sucked talents or Bullion or Jewels as well from Christians as Jews that a new Crassus might seem to be raised from
nobis a die Pasche in 15 dies ad recipiendum ab eo finem debitis illis Et mandetis Vicaquibus necesse fuerit quod nullam interim districtinem faciant eidem Abbati pro debitis illis reddendis T. G. fil Petri apud Suth 25 die Marcii Rex W. de Warren et sociis suis custodibus Iudaeorum c. Mandamus vobis quod quietum esse faciatis Rogerum Wesperill de usuris debitorum quae debet Simoni Iudeo Oxon. ab hoc inst Pasce anno Reg. nostri 9. usque ad Pasche prox sequent et interim ei respectum habere faciatis de praedict debitis T. Aaron Norwic. apud Clarenden 21 die Marcii per eundem By these 3 Presidents it is apparent that the Jews Usury was condemned and no ways favoured by King Iohn and his Justices in that age long before either the Statute of Merton 20 H. 3. c. 5. or De Iudaismo 3 E. 1. c. 1. were enacted and that the King would by no means permit it to run against any whilst actually imployed in his service nor others whom he favoured to whom he released the Usury at his pleasure and his Judges likewise by his command In the Roll of Fines of the 9 year of King Iohn I find these two cases concerning extents of Lands for the debts of Jews in that age Margareta de Lucy dat quinque marcas pro habenda haereditate de Kerchel et de Hammes quam Robertus de Lucy quondam vir ejus invadiavit Iudaeis in vita sua quod Iudaei capiant se a debito quod idem Robertus eis debuit super praedictum vadium ad haeredem ipsius Roberti qui haereditatem suam tenet Et mandatum est Vicecomiti quod accepta ab ea securitate de praedictis 5 marcis faciat ei habere plenariam seisinam de praedicta haereditate sua quae capta fuit in manum Domini Regis occasione praedicta Et mandatum est Iusticiariis Iudaeorum quod de praedicto debito capiant se ad haereditatem praedicti Roberti quam haeres ejus tenet The husband morgaged his wives inheritance to a Jew for a debt and dies for which the wives land being taken by way of extent into the Kings hands upon the Wives suit and fine of 5 marks her land is discharged the husbands land descended to his heir charged with and extended for it all the lands of the Jews Debtors on that age before the Statutes of Acton Burnel or de Mercatoribus 13 E. 1. being liable to extents for their debts as this Record of the same year resolves especially if assigned forfeited to or seised by the King Mandatum est Baronibus de Scaccario quod omnes terras quas Jollarius de Anumdevil habuit tempore quo ipse mutuo accepit debita de Aaron Judaeo capiantur in manum Dom. Regis quicunque illas teneat pro 200 72 libris quas ipse Domino Regi debuit de debito Aaron similiter districtionem faciatis de omnibus aliis quae Dom. Regi tenentur de debito Aaron de 26 lib. 8 sol 9 d. By this Record it appears that debts to Jews in that age were in the nature of Judgements and Statutes binding all the debtors lands he had at the time of the money borrowed into whose hands soever they came afterwards The King at this time claimed such an absolute jurisdiction over the Jews debts that he used to discharge or release them absolutely or for life and to respite them as he pleased as this and other presidents maniâ—est Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod quietavimus Roberto silio Rogori tota vita sua de omnibus debitis Judaeoorum Willi de Chesney patris Margaretae uxoris ejusdem Roberti praecipimus quod inde sit quietus tota vita sua in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras Patentes ei fieri fecimus Teste meipso apud Wimo 19 die Augusti In the 13 year of King John of which there are no Rolls or Records in the Tower I meet with this notable Record in the Treasury of the Exchequer touching the Jews assignment of their debts to Christians and extents upon them by Judgment of the Justices assigned for the custody of the Jews whom the assignee thereupon vouched to warranty in this case Placita a die Sancti Michaelis in 15 dies Anno Regni Regis Johannis 12. capta apud Westmonasterium inter alia sic continetur sequitur Rotulo secundo Assisa venit recogn si Robertus de Kanvill injuste sine Judicio disseseivit Willielmum Couse Beatricem uxorem ejus in Lincoln infra Assisas Robertus venit dicit quod Assisa non debet procedere quia ipse babet seisinam inde per preceptum Domini Regis ut ille qui fecit finem cum Judaeis quibus idem Willielmus debuit debitum super tenementum illud unde ipse profert Cartas Judaeorum quas ipsis acquietavit per finem illum vocat Justiciarios Judaeorum ad Watrantum quod habuit inde seisinam per eos ut de vadio suo Quia nihil Juris clamat in tenemento illo nisi ut de vadio Justiciarii Judaeorum sic warrantizant ideo consideratum est quod Willielmus in misâ—ricordia Robertus teneat in vadium suum By the Clause Roll of the 15 of King Iohn it appears that the King then seised granted and sold the houses of the Jews at his pleasure as a Lord his Villains without any other Title but his absolute Soveraignty over them witnesse these Writs of his compared together Rex Majori Vicecom London c. Sciatis quod dedimus dilecto fideli nostro Com. de Ferrariis domum Isaac Judaei de Norw c. in London in parochia Sanctae Margaretae cum redditibus omnibus pertinentiis suis Cartam nostram eo modo fieri fecimus Et ideo vobis mandamus quod secundum tenorem ejusdem Cartae nostrae ei sine dilatione plenam seisinam habere faciatis T. meipso apud Craneborn 8 die Julii Rex Vicecom Praeposit Oxon. salutem Sciatis quod ad petitionem venerabilis patris nostri N. Tuscul Episcopi Apostol sedis Legati concessimus Albrico fil Isaac Judaeo domos suas et domos quae fuerunt Isaac patris sui in Oxon. quae non valent per annum nisi viginti sol ut dicitur Unde vobis mandamus quod plenam seisinam domorum illarum eidem Albrico fine dilatione habere faciatis nisi valeant per annum plus quani 20 s. T. W. Brewer apud Freemer 11 die Novemb. This year the King laid an heavy Tax upon the Jews at Bristol which some Jews in Southampton refusing and delaying to pay the King thereupon issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Southampton to apprehend and send them prisoners to Bristol unlesse they presently paid it Rex
habeat ibi nomina illorum sex Iudaeorum et hoc breve T. Rege apud Clarendon 26 die Marcii Anno 16 H. 3. I find this Grant of a Jews house by the King Rex concessit Richo de Sancto Johanne Capell domum illam cum pertinentiis in vico de Pater noster Church London quae fuit Riciâ—le Ailer et modo est in manu Jacobi Iudaei London et Floriae uxoris ejus habendum de dom Rege sibi et haeredibus suis vel cuicunque ea dare vendere vel aliter assignare voluerit Et mandatum est Justic ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod eidem Rico de domo praedicto cum pertinentiis plenam seisinam habere faciant sicut praedict est Teste Rege apud Westmonast xviii die Iulii Pro quibusdam Iudaeis to pay their fines and debts by certain portions at some terms In the 17 year of H. 3. the King imposed a Tax upon the Jews of 10000 marks which they being unable to pay presently had certain dayes assigned to pay it in by several sums mentioned in this record some special Jews excepted Rex concessit Judaeis Angliae exceptis Isaac de Norwic et Ursell et fratris sui haeredibus Ham. de Hereford quod de 10 mille marcis quas Regi debent de ultimo Tallagio solvant ad Scacc. Regis ad festum Sancti Michaelis An 17. 500 l. et ad Pasche prox sequent 500 l. si bene respondeant Regi de dictis mille libris ad praedict terminos et de aliis arreragiis quae Regi debent tunc solvant similiter de eisdem 10000 marcis anno proximo sequent 1000 l. ad eosdem terminos scil ad festum Sancti Michaelis Ann. 18. 500 l. et ad Pasch prox sequen 500 l. et postea per annum 2000 marc ad eosdem terminos donec dictae 10000 marc sic Regi plene solvantur Concessit etiam Rex eisdem Judaeis praeter dictis Isaac et fratribus ejus quod interim quieti sint de Tallagio scil quousque dictae 10000 marc persolutae fuerint sicut praedict est Ita tamen quod illi Judaei qui manuceperunt pro omnibus Iudaeis Angliae Tallagium 8000 marc Regi plene respondeant de arreragiis ejusdem Tallagii quilibet Judaeus respondeat pro se de arreragiis Tallagii 6000 marc quia tunc Talliati fuerunt per capita de aliis debitis et finibus quae Regi debent non obstante hoc fine interim Regi respondeant In cujus c. T. Pet. Winton Episc apud Westm. 2 die Martii Per eundem Justic It is evident by this record That there were 3 several Taxes lately imposed one by the Pol on every particular Jew who was obliged to pay his proportion the other of 8000 marks imposed on all the Jews generally throughout England which some of them were engaged to see paid to the King the other of 10000 marks to be paid at certain dayes by parcels as aforesaid The Arrears of all which besides other Debts and Fines to the King lay charged all on them at once In the pleas of the 18 year of King Henry the 3. I find many things touching the Jews and their affairs As namely that memorable Plea concerning the Iews circumcising a child at Norwich in the Placita 18 H. 3. rot 21. kept in the Treasury of the Exchequer which because I have printed at large in the 2 Edition of my former Short Demurrer c. p. 19 20 21. and for that it is briefly touched in Mr. Samuel Purchas his Pilgrimage Edit 3. lib. 2. c. 10. sect 7. with this observation on it out of Celsus l. 7. c. 25. That by Chirurgery the skin of a circumcised child may be dâ—awn forth again to an uncircumcision I shall here pretermit to avoid repetition and prolixity The Jews were such unwelcom Guests to all Towns and places in England where they resided that King Henry granted this as a special Priviledg by his Charter to the Town of New-castle and their heirs that no Iew from thenceforth should remain or reside in their Town during the reign of him and his heirs as is evident by this record in the Tower Rex Vicecomiti Northumberland salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Carta nostra confirmavimus probis hominibus nostris de Villa Novi Castri super Tynam haeredibus eorum Quod habeant hanc Libertatem quod nullus Iudaeus de caetero Tempore nostro vel haeredum nostrorum maneat vel residentiam aliquam faciat in eadem Villa â—â—cut plenius continecur in Carta regis quam eis modo fieri fecimus mandatum est eidem Vicecomiti quod dictam cartam in pleno comitatu suo legi et clamaoi faciat et Praedictam Libertatem eis habere permittat sicut praedictum est Teste Rege apud Kenit Quarto die Iulii per Godfrid de Crancumb If then it were a great Priviledge Liberty Benefit happiness to the Town of New-castle and their heirs to be thus perpetually exempted from the residence and cohabitation of any Jews amongst them under this King his heirs and Successors certainly by the self-same reason it must be so likewise to all other Cities Towns and the whole realm of England and a great violation of their Liberties and impeachment of their prosperity now again to introduce these blasphemous old banished Jews amongst the English against their wills and consents In the Plea-rolls of Anno 18 H. 3. There are many things concerning the Jws affaires sundry complaints and Inquisiâ—ions concerning the oppressions and exactions of Peter de Rivallis Stephen de Segrave and Robert de Passelew Justices of the Iews for their Bribes received from the Iews against whom Simon Cirographarius Iudaeorum petit Literas And in rot 17. 20 dorso Peter de Rivallis being then under a cloud amongst other things proffered to surrender up to the King totam Forestarium Angliae et Iudaismum which the King had granted him In the 19 H. 3. the King sent this writ to prohibite all Jews hereafter to be obedient to Robert de Passelew as their Iustice being discharged of his office for his bribes and misdemeanors Mandatum est Constabulario Turr London quod scire faciat Iudeis London et aliis Iudeis qui apud London venient quod de caetero in nullo sint intendentes vel respondentes Roberto Passelewe de hiis quae ad custodiam Iudaeorum pertinent donec Dominus Rex aliud inde praeceperit T. R. apud Gloc. 30 die Maii. This year also the Jews accused and imprisoned at Norwich for circumcising a child at Norwich the year before were commannded to be removed thence to the Tower of London as this record assures us Mandatum est Vic. Norf. quod Iudaeos de Norwic. captos et detentos in prisona Regis pro transgressione quam fecerunt de quodam parvo Christiano
domorum et terrarum et quantitatem praedictorum debitorum ita quod interim cessent usurae which here one Jew took of another T. R. apua Winton 11 die Jun. Hen. the 3 in the 21 year of his reign granâ—ed the Presbytâ—ry of all the Jews of England which I conceive to be rather the Custos Rotulorum or Controlers place in the Kings Exchequer of the Jews than the Priestly function as this Record attests Mandatum tst Iusticiariis ad custodiam Iudaeorum assignatis Quod Rex concessit Aaron Iudaeo Ebor. Presbyteratum omnium Iudaeorum Angliae cum omnibus pertinentiis suis tenendum tota vita sua Et quotiens Aaron intendere non possit ad sedend ad Scaccarium Regis ad officium illud therefore certainly it was a temporal office in the Kings Exchequer not an Ecclesiastical Priesthood in the Jewish Synagogues Ioceu fil Copin loco suo recipiat ad ea facienda ad Scaccarium regis quae ad officium illud pertinent therefore a temporal office only to be executed in the Exchequer and that by Deputy as well as in proper person which the Jewish High Priesthood could nor be Rotulos etiam qui fuerunt Jocâ—i Presbyteri praedecessoris sui his Office therefore was to keep the Rolls as Comptroler eidem Aaron vel praedicto attornato suo habere faciant T. Rege apud Clarendon 29 die September Which record together with that of Claus 27 H. 3. â—ars 2. m. 3. hereafter cited doth most fully convince me upon second thoughts that the Presbyteratus omnium Iudâ—orum totius Angliae granted by King Iohn's Charter forementioned in the 1 year of his reign to Iacob the London Jew was not an ecclesiastical high Priesthood Eâ—â—scopacy or Priestly Aaronical Function but exercised over all the English Jews in their Synagogues as Sir Edward Coook Mt. Selden Mr. Purehas Dr. Fuller and others generally assert as a thing beyond disspute whose venerable Authorities at first induced me to that opinion but a meer secular Office in the Kings Exchequer of the Jews to keep the Rolls of Comptroll which this Aaron had now granted to him in the self-same words as are used in King Iohns Charter and his Predecessors before and successors after him enjoyned by like Charters from the K. A thing now clear to me upon consideration that the Jewish Priesthood in the old and new Testam Latin Authors and Records is never stiled Presbyteratus but Sacerdetium nor their Priest not High Priest Presbyter omnium Iudeorum but Sacerdos Pontifex max. summus Sacerdos c. and upon my comparing of several records together since the 3 4 and 5. pages of this second Demurrer printed which I could not transcribe nor compare together till afterwards that it is past all dispute This year the King imposed a Tax of ten thousand marks upon the Jews from the immediate payment whereof no Iew was to be excused or respited but by the Kings special Writ as these two Records informe us in this very year Mandatsm est Iusticiariis ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod de arreragiis Tallagii Iudaeorum de 10 mille marc quae colligi precipit rex nullos Iudaeos quietos esse permittant nisi Tallagium illud ad Scac. regis pacaverint vel literas regis de quietancia inde habuerint vel aliud rationabile Warrantum producant quod eis de jure sufficere debeat Teste Rege apud Marleburge 13 die December Rex quietum clamavit Aaron Iudaeum Ebor. de plegiag 10 mil. marc de Tallagio posito super Iudeos unde idem Aaron fuit unus de 10 plegiis In cujus c. T. R. apud Westm 18 die Iunii per Archiepisc Ebor. It seems 40 rich Iews were pledges to the King for the due payment of this 10 thousand marks Tallage whereof Aaron being one was now discharged by this royal instrument Some Iews in Oxford were this year imprisoned for forcibly taking away a Iewish child converted and baptized who bâ—ing afterwards found they were released by this writ Mandatum est Constab Oxon quod omnes Iudaeos quos cepit et captos tenet in Castro Oxon occasione cujusdam parvi conversi et baptizati qui dicebatur per ipsos Iudaeos raptus esse et qui jam inventus est apud Oxon sine dilatione deliberet Teste Rege apud Westm 4 die Novem. In 22 H. 3. there was a new heavy Tax imposed on the Jews which some Jews in Bristol to avoid thought to flie the Land whereupon they were there imprisoned and at last released upon giving security not to depart the Realm and to pay the Tax as this record attests Mandatum est Constabul Bristol quod si Lumbard et Isaac Iudaei Bristol capti et in prisona Bristol detenti eo quod fugere volebant è terra Regis fecerint eum securum quod moram facient in terra Regis et quod reddent in medio quadragesimae Ann. c. 22. id quod ad eos pertinet de Tallagio Regis tunc eos ita deliberet è prisona T. R. apud Westm 5 die Martii There are several records this year for extending lands for the Debts of Jews take one for a president of the rest Mandatum est Justieiariis ad custod Judaeorum assignatis quod extendi faciant terram Roberti de Ardern quae est vadium Crispini aliorum Judeorum et secundum valorem et quantitatem debiti rationabiles terras eos habere faciant T.R. apud Merleburge 25 die Martii The like extent mutatis mutandis is granted this year against the lands of William Marschal In the Clause rolls of 22 H. 3. in the Dorse of the Fine roll of 23. I find this notable case in Law reciting and expounding the Statute of Merton 20 H. 3. c. 5. concerning Usurie made but two years before it * Rex Vic. Ebor. salutem Ostendit Regi Ric de Watervill quod cum in Curia Regis coram Justiciariis suis apud Westm per considerationem ejusdem Curiae recuperasset versus Rogerum de Colevill custodiam terrae quae fuit Odmelli de Albano in Dalton usque aetatem haeredis ejusdem Odmelli Aaron de Ebor. Judaeus cujus vadium dicta terra dicitur esse postea per Breve Regis recuperavit seisinam ejusdem terrae tanquam vadium suum Quia vero Rex generaliter concessit in regno suo quod haeredibus infra aetatem existentibus non currant usurae super terras suas quae vadia sint Judaeorum nec hujusmodi invadationes auferre debent Dominis feodorum custodiam terrarum quae de eis tenentur per servicium militare Mandatum est Vic. Ebor. quod praedict Nicho. de praedicta terra nomine custod talem seisinam faciat qualem inde habuit antequam praedicto Judeo per praeceptum Regis seisinam inde habere fecit T. R. apud Windsore 17 die Junii If Sir Edw
quod per consilium Roberti Passelewe quem Rex illuc mittit alium cust ad hoc apponi fac T. c. The tax not being paid the King at the times appointed this year he commanding the Iews Chests to be locked up so that their creditors could not pay their debts to them nor they their debts to the King whereupon he granted his Writ to Samuel fil Isaac a Iew upon his complaint that they should pay their debts to the King at the terms formerly appointed at the rates there expressed at large Rex Iust suis ad custod Iudeorum assignatis salutem Monstravit nobis Oliva quae fuit uxor Rob. de Fraynicto quod cum ipsa cum nuper estemus apud Colecester probasset coram venerabil in Christo patre W. Ebor Arch. et aliis de consilio nostro tam per Christianos quam per Judaeos praefatum virum suum reddidisse Aaron et Ursello Judaeis Colecestr totum debitum quod eis debuit ante inceptionem itin sui in terram sanct et injunctum esâ—et eisdem Judaeis quod reddent prefato Ol. Cartas confect de debito memorato licet eidem Judei quasdam Cartas mem restituerunt adhuc tamen unam ei detinent maliriose praetendentes Cartam esse Londini in depos ut sic fraud machinentur et laboribus frangent dictam mulierem Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedictos Judeos per terras et catalla distringatis ad restituendam prefatae mulieri sine dilatione cartam praedictam Et vos eidem pedem illius Cartaerestituatis Ita vos in hac parte gerentes quod de cetero nullam inde audiamus querelam T. W. Ebor. Arch. apud Moreclae 29 die Iulii This Record manifests 1 The manner of the Jewes proving their debts both by Jewes and Christians 2 Their Jewish dealing one with another in detaining goods after debts satisfied 3. The usual way of recovering such Bonds from them when the debts were paid This year the King removed the Jews and their chests from one place to another at his pleasure as this Record besides others informs us Rex concessit Com. Pict Cornub. quod Judei regis qui manent in Berchamested transferant se usque Wallingford et ibi remaneant secundum easdem consuetudines Judeorum secundum quas apud Berkhamested habere consueverunt Archamque quam fuit apud Berkhamsted simiâ—iter habeant apud VVallingford et eodem modo quo ipsam habuerunt apud Berkhamsted Et mandatum est Justic ad custod Jud. assignatis quod sic fieri permittant T. R. How the Jews heirs after their decease made fines to the King for their real and personal estates and how their wives were indowed this Record will manifest of the same year with the former Rex Baron suis de Scac. salutem Mandamus vobis quod distringatis Mayden quae fuit uxor Jacob. Crespin ad reddend Moss fil praedict Iacob et Isaac fratri suo terras domos redditus catalla et omnia debita quae fuerunt praedicti Jacob. patris sui pro quibus ipse Moss et Isaac finem fecerunt nobiscum sicut per alias litetas nostras vobis significavimus Et cum praedicti Moss Isaac seisinam habuerint de praedict terris domibus redditibus catal et debitis tunc eidem Mayden rationabilem dotem suam a praedict Moss et Isaac faciatis assignari T.R. apud Merewel 2 die Maii. In the 27 year of King Henry the King issued this precept to have a Convert Iew instructed in the Christian Faith and learning in any place where he might Mandatum est Ebor. Archiepiscopo et VV. de Cantelup then Commissioners or Justices for the Jews affairs Quod Martino converso faciant administrari in aliqua villa ubi possit tam de fide Catholica quam literarum scientia feliciter erudiri T. R. apud Burdegal 3 die Febr. The same year the King commanded the Executors of the Bishop of Winchester by his Writ to pay to W. de Haevenshel and Edward son of Odo 100 l. ad terras emendas ad opus Conversorum London ad sustentationem eorundem T. R. apud Burd 12 die Aprilis Et mandatum est praedictis VVillo et Edwardo quod denarios illos ab illis recipiant et terras ad opus praedictor conversorum emant Ita quod terrae praedict emptae fuerint citra festum Nativ sancti Iohis Baptistae Such was the care and charity of those times for the converts support This year the King pardoned several debts of particular Engliâ—hmen owing to particular Jews respited the payment of other Dâ—bts for a time to others by several writs to the Iustices assigned for the Iews And likewise assigned and granted the Office of Aarons Presbyteratus Judeorum Angliae in the Exchequer forementioned to Elie le Eveske a Jew of London or his Attorney with all the Rolls of the Exchequer belonging to Aaron in as ample manner as Aaron formerly had them commanding the Justices assigned for the Jews custody to invest him in this office of Aaron Et nullam decetero summonitionem facere de aliquo debito de quo debetur responderi coram eis nisi per visum et testimonium predicti Elye vel illius quem ad hoc loco suo attornaverit which clearly proves that the Presbyteratus omnium Iudeorum totius Angliae granted to Aaron and now transferred to Elye was nothing else but the Custos Rotulâ—rum or Controllership of the Exchequer Et mandatum est eisdem quod quotiens idem Elyas intendere non possit ad sedendum ad Scac. Joreum fil Copini loco suo recipiant ad ea facienda ad idem Scac. quae ad Presbyteratum Iudaeorum pertia ut Rotulos etiam qui fuerant Jocei predecesso is sui cidem Elye vel attornato suo habere faciatis T. apud Westm 21 die Octob per Will. de Cantil Edward fil Odonis Quia Abraham Iudeus Berkhamsted clamat partem in debito quod continetur in cartae Johannis de Brabini confect inter ipsum Johannem et praedict Abraham et Mosseum Iudeum Hereford Mandatum est Cirographariis custod hus Archae Judeorum Hereford quod praefata Carta per praefat Mosseum vel per alium nemini liberetur donec Rex aliud inde praeciperit Which shewes that one Jew could not discharge the debt due joyntly to him and another Jew but by the others consent In the 28 of H. 3. two Jews being wrongfully arrested for a Debt due by another the King sent this writ to discharge them and imprison the Jewess that owed it Rex Justic ad cust Iud. assignatis sâ—lutem Sciatis quod probatum fuit coram nobis apud Stanford quod Gentilla viduae Iudea de Stanford debet R. Com. Cornub. fratri nostro illas 13 lib pro quibus Coc. Samuelem Judeos de Stanford arrestari fecistis in villa praedict
ita quod eam cap. et in prisona detineri pâ—â—cipimus donâ—c solverit pecuniam praedict Et ideo vobis mandâ—mus quod praedict Coc. Samuel ceterosque omnes Iudeos de Stâ—nford de praedict 13 lib. quietos esse faciatis T. Rege apud Not. 10 die July This year Aaron a Jew of York assigned a Debt of 500 l to the King in part of a debt which he owed the King which the King commanded Hugh Bygod who owed it in right of his wife to pay into the Exchequer And likewise commanded all the Jews to be removed out of Nuberry and Spenhamland by this writ Mandatum est Vic. Berks Quod Judeos qui manent in Villa de Nubury et in villa de Spenhamland remittat sine dilatione usque Winton et ibi maneant sicut prius solent nec de caetero maneant in Villis praedictis T. R. apud Reading 27 die Decemb. A Jew accused for clipping and falsifying monies fled for refuge to the King who thus remanded him Rex W. de Ebor prepos Beverley Hen de Bath salutem Quia intelleximus quod vos mandaveritis Vic. nostro Hereford ad capiend Cok Judeum Hereford tanquam falsarium et retuntorem Denar et idem Judeus venit ad Curiam nostram apud Reading quaerens subterfugium captionis suae Nos ipsum Judaeum fecimus arrestari ad vos mittentes eundem ut vos super eo quod ei imponitur secundum quod videritis expedire faciatis T. R. apud Reading 12 die May. After which follows this record Rex W. de Havershull Thesaur suo et Constab suo London salutem Mandamus vobis quod Judeos assignatos ad custodiam catallorum debitorum quae fuerunt David Judei Oxon distringatis ita quod illi Judei qui manuceperunt finem 5000 marc quem Licoric quae fuit uxor praedict David fecit nobiscum pro habendis catallis et debitis ipsius David ut eum habeamus terminis assignatis de Tallagio Iudeorum nobis solvend et ipsam Licoric a prisona deliberari faciatis Ita tamen quod nullam habeat administrationem de catallis debitis praedictis ante instans festum Nativitatis beat Mariae conâ—c post eundem festum vobis inde mandaverimus Et Sciatis quod remissimus Aaron Judeo Ebor. custodiam praedict catallorum et debitorum pro fine quem propter fecit nobis et quae solvit in Garderoba nostra et loco ejus subrogavimus Bondum Judeum Cant. By which Record it is apparent That no Jews wife or other Jew could administer or meddle with her Husbands or Parents chattels or debts without paying a vast fine for them as here 500 marks and that at such time as the King assigned that the custody of their Goods and debts were in the mean time committed to other Iews to be responsible for them and that their persons were imprisoned and their administrations suspended if they failed in paying the fine at the termes appointed In the 29 of Hen. 3. the King sends writs to his Iustices for the custody of the Iews and to Sheriffs to levy the Debts due to him from the heirs of Hamond the Iew of Hereford and that Crespin a Iew should pay him 28 marks to be laid out in silk and cloth of gold for Westminster Church as his Alms. Mandatum est Baron de Scacc. et Iusticiariis ad custod Iudeorum assignatis quantum poterint apponant ut 4000 marc quae Regi debent Iudei ad hoc festum sancti Michaelis tunc omnibus modis solvantur Thesaur Camerar ad faciend inde quod Rex injunxerit et si forte in solutione earund 4000 marc defecerint ad terminum praedict tunc capiant aliquos de ditioribus Iudeis ut corpora eorum mittant ad R. usque Gannock non omittando illuci pro aliquo custo et Rex illos faciet deliberari Iustic Hyberniae ducendos in Hyberniam et ibidem in prisona detinendos T. Rege apud Gannock in castris x. die Septem By which record it seems the Iews were taxed to pay 4000 marks at Michaelmas to the King and if they failed then some of the richest of them were to be seised on and sent prisoners to the King into his camp and from thence into Ireland and there imprisoned til it was all paid Such was the rigor then used in levying their heavy Taxes Another 4000 marks was then likewise to be paid by them at Christs Nativity the same year and commanded by this writ to be effectually levied by the Justices of the Jews Mandatum est Justic. ad custod Judaeorum assign quod sicut corpora et catalla sua diligunt et ab indempnitate et periculo maximo volunt conservari provideant quod 4000 marc quae Regi debentur de Judaismo reddendas citra festum Nativitatis Dom citra festum illud reddantur quia si in eorum solutione aliquis inveniatur defectus id solummodo negligentiae suae imputaretur T. Rege apud Woodstoke 4. die Dec. Mandatum est Thesaur et Camerar quod de illis 4000 m. deliberent Magistro Militis Templi in Anglia 2000 marc deponend in domo sua ad opus Comitissae Provinciae sicut alias eis mandat est de resid mille marc quantum se extendunt satisfaciant mercatoribus Vinorum et aliis de debitis in quibus Rex eis tenetur T. ut supra Ibidem Dorso 2. There is a command to the Justices of the Jews to respit a suit there pending against one Mansel by two Jews for 40 l. and an horse In this 29 year of Henry the 3. this writ was issued to the Justices of the Iews to proclaim in all Counties that no Iewes wife or childe should fly from nor obscure himself in the places he or they resided for one year then next ensuing and that they should be there readily found by the Kings Officers under pain that their husbands as also their wives and children should be outlawed banished and all their lands rents and chattels forthwith forfeited to the King and presently sold to his use and they banished never to return again into England without his special license Mandatum est Justiciariis ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis quod statim visis Literis clamati faciant per omnes Comitatus Angliae ubi Judaei Regis sunt quod si aliqua Iudaea uxor alicujus Iudaei vel pueri sui diffugiant vel fugam capiant vel aliquo modo lateant a Villa ubi fuerint manentes ad festum Sancti Andreae Anno regni Regis 29 usque in unum annum proximo sequentem Ita quod ad Summonitionem Regis vel Ballivorum suorum in quorum Ballivis ipsi fuerunt manentes prompti inveniti non possint quod vir ipsius Iudeae et etiam ipsa Iudaea et omnes pueri sui statim utlagentur et omnes terrae redditus
Et reddat Regi praedict 20 lib. annuatim ad duos terminos viz. 10 l. ad Scac. S. Michaelis 10 l. ad Scac. Paschae Et mandatum est Iusticiariis ad custod Iud assignatis quod sic fieri et irrotulari faciant et pro licentia concessionis dedit Regi unam marcam auri T. R. apud Wyndes 1. die Octob. et habet inde Literas Patentes per eadem verba The like compositions were made with the King by Aaron of York and many other Jews in this and other years In the 34 year of King H. 3. I find this recital in a writ That the King by the long received custome of the Realm ought to succeed the Iews themselves in all houses and other Lands which they should purchase within the realme upon their deaths outlary or departure hence and that he might grant them to whom he pleased as well as tax them and seise their goods at his pleasure Rex Vicecomiti Norff. salutem Licet de consuetudine longeva dicatur obtentum in regno nostro quod Nos in Domibus et aliis quas acquisiverint Iudaei in regno nostro succedere debeamus ipsis Iudaeis aures tamen nostras precibus Edmundi Kake de Norwic. Capellani misericorditer inclinantes concessimus eidem Edmundo de gratia nostra quod non obstante consuetudine praedicta habeat Messuagium illud in Norwic de quo nuper seisinam fieri fecimus Magistro Benedicto et quod Seigumet Iudaeus utlagatus tenuit de praedicto Edmundo in eadem villa de Norwic. Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod eidem Edmundo de praedicto messuagio sine dilatione plenam seisinam habere facias T.R. apud Clarendon 13 die Decembris In the same roll I find a writ to attach both the body and goods of a Jew and to bring them both before the Justices assigned for the Iews Mandatum est Vicecomiti Dorset quod habeat coram Iusticiariis regis ad Custodiam Iudeorum assignatis apud Westm in Crastino Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae corpus Solomonis Iudei de Dorcestria cum omnibus catallis ipsius Iudaei sub sigillo suo T. R. apud Merleberge 21 die Junii In the Patent roll of this year the King granted this License to the Masters of the Law of the Commonalty of the Jews in London to excommunicate such Jews as refused to contribute that subsidy they had promised towards the sustaining of their common Churchyard in London whom they could not excommunicate without his leave Râ—x Iusticiariis suis ad Custodiam Iudaeorum assignatis salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Iudaeis nostris London quod Magistri legis eorundem Iudaeorum in Ciuitate London promulgare possint summam Excommunicationem in omnes illos Iudaeos qui subsidium aliquod promiserunt ad Cimiterium London sustinendum et illud non solverint Ita quod Nos non alii de Judaeis excommunicatis sufficientes emendas recipiamus T. R. 28 Die Julii In the 35 of Henry 3. there are these records touching the Jews Mandatum est Philippo Luvel et Sociis suis Justiciariis Judaeorum sicut alias Quod de Tallagio X. milium Marcarum assesso super Communitatem Iudaeorum Angliae faciant habere Reginaldo de Salinis 40 â—ibras ad terras inde emendas ad opus suum vel ad commodum suum alio modo faciendum prout sibi viderit expediri et illas in eodem Tallagio faciendo allocari Communitati praedictae Et Rex bene vult quod eadem 40 l. Ricardo de Salinis allocantur in debitis quod debet in Judaismo pro eodem Reginaldo dum tamen idem Reginaldus securus sit de portione sua T. R. apud Wherwell 25 die Maii. Per ipsum Regem The wives and children of the Jews oft times used to be distrained and imprisoned for their Debts as appears by this record to respite such proceedings against them for a time Anno 35. H. 3. Mandatum est Vic. Devon quod non distringat nec distringi permittat uxorem Boneufaunt Judei Exon. vel pueros suos per corpora sua ipsos imprisonando occasione alicujus debiti seu demandae tangentis ipsum Boneufaunt de fine 100 marc auri quia Rex vult ipsam Iudeam cum predictis pueris suis esse in pace usque ad octabis Sti. Mich. prox futuri Et si ipsos imprisonavit eos interim deliberari faciat T. R. apud Windsore 2 die Septemb. per ipsum regem This year there was a tax of 10000 marks imposed on the Iews as is evident by Pat 35. H. 3. pars 2. m. 4. De tallagio Iudeorum assidendo for assessing it and this Ptecept concerning it Mandatum est Baron de Scac. ad custodiam Iudeorum assignatis quod provideant et ordinent inter se qualiter illa 10 millia marc quae regi debentur de Tallagio Iudeorum regi persolvi possint And in the same membrana there is this command to buy gold with the Jews money for the Kings use Mandat W. de Hoverhull Thes reg Edward de Westm et Phil. Luvell quod de omnibus denariis de Judaismo provenientibus aurum ad opus regis emi faciant sicut rex eidem Philippo dudum injunxit et sicut T. Espernon eis exponet ex parte regis T.R. What great sums of gold the King received of some Iews this year to be exempted from taxes paying set rates for 4 years space will appear by this record Mandatum est Justiciariis ad custodiam Judeorum assignatis quod illas 10 mil. marcas auri quas Elias Judeus London regi dedit pro sic quod a festo St. Mich. An. 34. usque in quatuor annos prox sequentes completos non talliaretur nisi ad centum libr. per annum dum Tallagium regis duraret eidem inde proximis terminis suis Tallagii sui fac allocari Ita quod de cetero respondeat in tallagio suo Judeorum secundum facultates suas sicut rex alias eis manda it non obstanre gratia regis quam ei concesserit pro donatione predicti auri T. R. apud Clarendon 10 die Iunii Consimiles literas habet Aaron fil Abrah Judeus London de 25 marc auri allocari ut supra continetur eisdem Justic directas T. ut supra per ipsum regem Et quia Aaron de Ebor. affirmavit coram rege quod predict aurum prefatis Aaron et Eliae alia vice per mandatum Regis de quo Rex non recolit fuit allocatum Mandat est prefatis Justic quod super hoc regem fine dilatione certificent Scituri quod dictus Aaron Regi promisit 200 marc argenti nisi predicta summa auri praedictis Iudeis per regem fuit allocata in Tallagio suo T. R. c. per ipsum regem The King this year allows a Jew to sue for the remainder of a debt which the King
with some Rebels against the King allowing some displacing other of his Officers and commanding them not to obey the Prince Rex Thesaur et Camerariis suis salutem Quia Edwardus fil n. cui Judaismum nostrum sâ—cut nostis ad tempus commissimus nostro prorsus ac Magnatum et fidelium nostrorum spreto consilio subito et ex inopinato jam recessit ad quosdam rebelles nostros se transferendo qui nos gravare et pacem Regni nostri perturbare proponunt dictum IudaismuÌ„ capimus in manum nostram Et ideo vobis mandamus quod assumpto vobiscum Magistro Thom. de Cantelupo Cancellario nostro si adhuc Londini existat Tallagium nuper assessum super Iudaismum predict per Tho. de Irpergue ad hoc assignat per praedict fil nostr videri et illud ad opus nostrum colligi et salvo custodiri fac donec aliud inde praeciperimus Adam vero de Winton socium Roberti de Crep ab officio suo amoveatis et loco ejus Will. de Hachelbeche substituatis Ita quod idem VVillielmus et Robertus officio Iusticiariae Iudeorum amodo intendant donec aliter inde duxerimus ordinand et eisdem Iustic firmiâ—er injungatis ex parte nostra ne praefato fil nostro vel suis in aliquo intendant et quod ab omnibus Iudeis Angliae hoc idem scire faciant Et hoc non omittatis T. R. apud Hereford 30 die Maii. In the Fine rolls of Ann. 49. The King pardons Râ—â—â— de la Hyde his debts c. whose lands and tenements were not sufficient to satisfie the Debts for which they were obliged to sundry Jews there named Omnia debita usuras poenas et feoda in quibus tenetur Iudeis praedictis in aliquibus debitis usuris poenis vel feodis ab Archis Cyrograph Iudeorum extrahi et praef Rico. liberari et ipsum de predict debitis usuris poenis et feodis quietum esse et sic fieri et irrot faciant T. R. apud Hereford 19. die Iunii Per Regem et Justic The like to this and the former in Fines 48. I find frequent in this Fine roll to above 20 other several persons after the battel of Lewes therein specified In 50 H. 3. Mandatum est Th. Bacun quod rotulos et brevia Iudaismum tangentia quae sunt in custodia sua liberet Iustic ad custod Iudeor assign custodiend quamdiu Rex aliud inde praeceperit This year the King writing to Hagino a Jew of London to deliver monyes of the Merchants of Flanders there arrested and left in his Custody begins thus Rex Hagino fil Mossei Iudeo London statum vitae melioris Cum per literas nostras c. The same year the King granted to Aaron le Blund a Jew liberty to sue for his debts which he formerly pardoned his debtors Non obstante pardonatione nostra de debitis dicti Rogeri praefato Judaeo facto The Jews sustaining much loss by the Barons and Kings enemies I find this recitall thereof by the King who granted them other Jews debts for their relief as this and other presidents manifest Rex Iustic suis ad custod c. Soiatis quod pro dampnis et jacturis quae Haginus fil Mossei Iudeus London pro nobis sustinuit in turbatione habita in regno nostro Nos in auxilium relevationis suae status dedimus ei 50 lib. in quibus Willielmus de Dyve defunctus per cartam suam tenebatur Jacobo fil Ladonis Iudeo London nuper defuncto cujus debita et catalla devenerunt ad manum nostram ratione mortis ejusdem Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedict 50 lib. secundum consuetud Judaismi nostri leuari et eidem Hagino una cum carta supradicta liberari faciatis de dono nostri T. R. apud Westm 1 die April The like grant of another Jews debt upon the same account was this year made to Elyas sonne of Mosse a Jew to be allowed in his Tallages and other debts to the King Ibid. m. 10. The King pardons Peter de Novel and Andrew de Winton the debts they owed to Jews The Iews in London both before and after the battel of Lewes being spoiled of their houses and goods there during the Civil wars by the Kings Enemies and the Barons then in arms against them he thereupon in the 50 year of his reign enabled them to sue for and recover their goods and houses again except such as himself had sold and disposed of and restored them to the self-same condition they were in before the battle of Lewes by this ensuing writ and grant Rex Hugoni filio Ottonis Custodi Civitatis suae London salutem Cum pro variis dampnis et injurâ—is Iudeis nostris Angliae in turbatione regni nostri ab Inimicis nostris illatis de Consilio Magnatum nostrorum qui sunt de Consilio nostro Concessimus omnibus et singulis Iudeis praedictis quod ipsi quoad bona et possessiones suas recuperanda sint in eodem statu quo fuerunt die conflictus de Lewes ac quidem inimici nostri in turbatione in Regno nostro habita domos Iudaeorum nostrorum London in eadem Civitate tà m ante bellum praedictum quà m post occupaverint Ac etiam quidam deorum praedictorum pro timore turbationis praedictae domos suas in eadem Civitate reliquerunt et ad alias partes se transtulerunt Nos eisdem Judaeis gratiam uberiorem facere volentes concessimus et reddidimus singulis Iudaeis nostris London omnes domos suas praedictas ante bellum praedictum et post bellum illud occasione turbationis praedictae occupatas detentas exceptis Domibus quorundam Judaeorum praedictorum London quas in eadem Civitate quibuscunque prius concessimus Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praefatis Iudaeis de Domibus suis praedictis in quorumcunque manibus existunt plenam seifinam habere facias sicut praedictum est T. R. apud VVestm 14 dii Novembris In the Patent Rolls of this year the King grants the Houses and Debts of several Jews escheated to him by their deaths or othewise to several Jews impoverished dampnis et gravaminibus sibi ad inimicis nostris illatis tempore turbationis habita in regno nostro c. volens eis gratiam facere specialem Besides upon this account I find this general Patent and Proclamation of protection for the Jewes of London Rex Rich. de Ceual and 45 more there named civibus London salutem Quia Iudei nostri London tempore turbationis in regno nostro jacturas quamplurimas et enormia sustinuerunt nos dâ—spendiis et jacturis eorum compatientes ipsos terras res domos reddiâ—us et omnes eorum possessiones in defensionem et protectionem nostram suscepimus specialem Nos ad eorum Majorem tuitionem et securitatem custodiam eâ—
protectionem vos assignantes Et ideo vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus per totam civitatem praedict London publice proclamari fac ne quis sub periculo vitae et membrorum praedict Iudaeis in personis vel rebus suis dampnum inferat molestiam aut gravamen et vos ipsi Iudeos illos familias suas terras vel redditus domos et omnes possessiones suas et eorum bona infra civitatem praed et extra quantum in vobis est manuteneatis protegatis et defendatis non inferentes c as in the former Et si quid c. talem diligentiam apponentes ut vobis c. donatur per vicecomitem T. R. Consimiles literae habent Iudei Cantebr Ballivis et probis hominibus Cant. directae durant ut supra This year the King granted the custody of the Iews Rolls and a salary for it by this patent Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod commissimus dilecto Clerico nostro Tho Wabrun rotulos et brevia nostra Iudaismi nostri custodiend quamdiu nobis placuerit ita quod capiat per annum ad Scac. nostr 10 lib. vid. 100 s. ab Scac. nostr St. Michis et 100s ad Scac. nostr Pasche ad se sustentandum in officio praedicto quamdiu fuerit in eodem The same year the King by Patent granted leave to sundry Jews presently to sue for and levy their debts upon their Creditors and distrain them for them and likewise that he will not release pardon nor respite the debts due to them from sundry particular persons expressed in the Patents in form like those already cited elsewhere Yea I find this Writ for electing a new Cyrographer in the place of one that was dead issued this year Rex Constab castri Winton et Ballivis ejusdem villae salutem Quia Petrus Westman Christianus unus Cyrogr. Arch. Iud. Winton diem clausit extremum ut rex accepit Vobis mandamus quod per Sacramentum 12. tam Christianorum quam Iudeorum villae praedict eligi fac loco praedict Pet. unum alium Coffrarium qui praestito sacramento sicut moris est officio illo de caetero intendat et nomen ejus Regi scire fac T. R. apud Cant. 26 die Oct. And this recital of the Kings grant of his Iudaisme to the Prince and a confirmation of his grant to a Jew Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod cum dudum commiss rimus dilect primog nostro Judaismum nostrum Angliae habendum ad certum terminum cum omnibus ad Judaismum illum pertinentibus item quod idem fil noster omnia inde medio tempore illo perciperet Judeorum tam ratione mortis Iudeorum aliunde quam eodem modo quo nos percipere debuissemus si Iudaismum praedict in manu nostra tenuissemus et dictus fil noster tertiam partem omnium catal et debitorum quae fuerunt Deulecres filius Aaron qui tunc in fata concessit ad ipsum filium nostr ratione mortis eâ—usdem Deulecres sicut moris est in Iudaismo pertinentem occasione nostrae concessionis antedict dederit et concesserit Hagio fil Mosse Iudeo London una cum custodia catal et debitorum pertinent ad pueros haeredes ejusdem Deulacres de catallis et debitis supradictis Nos praedict donationem concessionem ratam habemus acceptam Volentes etiam eidem Hagino gratiam facere specialem concedimus eidem quod de debitis antedictis extentam vel etiam prorogationem seu quietantiam aliquam vel donum non faciemus infra quinquennium a tempore confect presentium In cujus c. T. R. apud Westm 26 die Novemb. In 51 H. 3. I find this grant to divers plundered Jews of Lincoln and other parts to recover their pawns which they could prove though their Charters were lost or not extant on Record Rex diâ—ectis et fidelibus suis custodibus pacis in Com. Linc. North. Ebor. Vic. eorundem Com. et Vic. Norf. Suff. et Rutland et omnibus Ballivis et fidelibus nostris quos c. salutem Volentes Manfro and to sundry other Iews there named Iudeis Linc. et aliis Iudeis nostris ejusdem Civit. pro dampniset gravaminibus eis ab inimicis nostris illatis in insultu habito apud Linc nec non et in turbatione regni nostri gratiam facere ad praesens Concessimus quod Vadia sua nominata in Cyrogr. inter ipsos et debit suos confect de debitis quae sibi rationabiliter monstrari poterint in quorumcunque manibus existent vadia illa in manus suas secundum legem et consretudinem Iudaismi nostri seisientur donec debita illa levantur et persolventur eisdem sicut praedict est nisi debitores illi rationabiliter monstrare poterint quod de debitis illis debent esse quieti In cujus c. T. R. apud Windsore The like Patent he made to Aaron the son of Lion le Blund a Jew of London this year upon the same grounds being plundered by the King enemies in London and elsewhere In 52 H. 3. the King confirmed the grant of Sam. a Jew of York to Hagino a Jew of London of certain houses in York and grants to him further pro nobis et haeredibus nostris sibi et haeredibus suis quod supra domos praedict nulla fiat districtio pro aliquibus debitis in quibus Aaron the father of Samuel nobis tenebatur die quo in fata concessit T. R. 30 die Aug. He likewise ratified the grant of a Jew of Wilton of a debt due to him to Tho. de Irpeign with the grants of several houses in Winton by sundry Christians and Jews to Benedict a Jew of Winton Pardons a fee to a Jew and grants some Jews that had suffered for him leave to levy their debts on their debtors lands There is likewise mention of what moneys were delivered into the Kings VVardrobe this year out of the profits of his Judaisme and an acquittance thereof to his Iustices This year the King granted to Hagino fil Mossei and some other Jews that they should be exempted quieti de omnibus auxiliis et Tallagiis super ipsis assidendis et de quibuscunque debitis in quibus nobis tenentur from the feast of St. Andrew usque in terminum proximo sequent T. R. apud Clarendon 27 die Novemb. In the Clause Rolls this year I find fines made by the Jews to the King to enjoy the goods and debts of other Iews Prohibitions to the Iustices iâ—inerant not to suffer any Iews to be vexed or prosecuted before them cum sicut nostis Iudei Angliae coram aliquibus Iustic nostr de aliquibus Judaismum nostr tangentibus non debeanâ— placitare vel respondere nisi coram Iustic nostris ad custod Iud. assignatis A grant to some Iews not to pardon acquit prorogue or extend their
communitas Iudeorum vel Cyrograph Archa super gravem forisfacturam nostram de cetero presumat habitare Et hoc sicut te et tua diligis non omittas T. R. apud Winds 23 die Aprilis One of the principal things of Note concerning the Iews this year is the Ordinance concerning the Iews made by the King by the advice and counsel of Prince Edward his Sonne and other honest men for the relief of the christians touching the grievances they sustained in their Debts and Fees morgaged to the Jews and against the Iews assigning of their debts to others without the Kings special License first obtained Which I find enrolled in French in a very fair hand in the Dorse of the Clause and Patent Rolls of 53 H. 3. and in the Red Bocke of the Exchequer in the Remembrancers Office fol. 242. with this Title there prefixed to it Provisiones de Iudaismo liberatae ad Scaccarium per Dominum Walterum de Merton A la feste de Seint Hillayre del an du regne le Roy Henry fiz le Roy Iohan. cinquante tierz purvieu est per memes le Roy et per le conseil Sire Edward son fiz eyne et de ses autres prodes hommes a lamendement de la Tere Et Reliever les Crestiens des Grevances que il ont eu par la Iuerye de Angletere Re totes les Dettes a Gyvues qe sont foez et qe aparmenes sunt as meines de Gyvus et ne sont done a Crestien ne vendu issint qe a vaunt ceo Jur. seent confirme par le Roy vel arroule al Eschekker soent quites a Crestiens qe les deyvent et a lour Eyres a tuz Jurs. Ensement les arrerages et les chartres par la ou eles serrunt trouees des avant dites detres de foez seent renduz a Crestiens de ke les dettes sont dues ou a lour eyres Et si par aventure acune Chatre fust mise en huche ou troue des ore mes nul lu ne tyene Et qe nul Gyvu de ceo jur en avant tel manere de dette de foe ne ne preigne ne ne face Et ensement qe nul Gyvu ceo Feo a Crestien ne venda de cest jur en avant sur forfeiture de vie et de chatel ne Crestien ne lachate sur forfeiture de son chatel et de son heritage Et ensement est purveu par lavant dit Roy et par le conseil Sire Edward et des avant dit prodes homes qe nul Gyvu des ore mes ne puse vendre sa dette a Crestien si il ne eyt primes le conge le Roy. Et si Crestien la chate par le conge le Roy rien ne pusse plus aver ke le Roy ne averoit si la dette eust en sa mein ceo est a saver le chatel qe est troue en chartre saunz Usure This Ordinance within few months after Anno 54 H. 3. was commanded to be put in execution by this writ to the Barons of the Exchequer which thus recites it Rex Baron de Scac. salutem Quia provisum est per Nos et Edwardum Primogenitum nostrum et alios fideles de consilio nostro ad meliorationem status terrae nostrae et ad relevationem Christianorum a gravaminibus quae hactenus habuerunt per Judeos et Judaismum nostrum Angliae Quod omnia debita Judeorum quae sunt feoda et quae die Sancti Hillarii An. r. n. 53. fuerunt in manibus Judeorum et quae non fuerunt data et vendita Christianis ita quod ante diem illum essent confirmata per nos vel irrotulata in Rotulis nostris ad Scac. nostrum Judeorum quieta sint Christianis qui ea debent et eorum heredibus imperpetuum una cum arreragiis eorundem debitorum et quod Chartae de hujusmodi feodis ubicunque erunt inventae sint liberatae Christianis qui talia feoda debent vel eorum heredibus et quod si forte aliqua hujusmodi Carta sit inventa in Archa Cyrogr. vel extra amodo nullius sit valoris Et quod nullus Judeus a predicto die inantea talia debita de feodo recipiat vel faciat Et similiter quod nullus Judeus talia feoda Christianis vendat a predicto tempore super forisfacturam vitae suae et catallorum ipsius nec Christianus ea emat super forisfacturam catallorum ipsius et suae haereditatis Vobis mandamus quod omnia Cyrographa super hujusmodi feodis per quoscunque confecta coram vobis ad Scac. nostrum venire faciatis et ea quae ante praedict diem Sancti Hillarii non fuerunt per nos confirmata nec in rotulis nostris ad Scac. nostrum Judeorum irrotulata prout superius est expressum cancellari faciatis et creditoribus vel eorum haeredibus quieta reddatis T.R. apud Westm 14 die Maii. The later part of this Ordinance here omitted against selling debts without license is frequently recited in special Licenses granted by the King to Jews to sell their debts the very next year after its making and proved very gainfull to the King and his Officers Rex omnibus c. salutem Cum nuper de consilio Edwardi primogeniti nostri et aliorum fidelium regni nostri in praesentia nostra provisum esset quod nullus Judeus debitum aliquod quod sibi a Cristiano debetur alicui vendere possit nisi prius a nobis optenta super hoc licentia speciali et si Christianus aliquis debitum hujusmodi de licentia nostra emat nihil plus inde habeat quam nos haberemus si debitum illud esset in manu nostra viz. Catallum quod inventum est in Carta inde confecta SINE USURA Nos Jacobo fil Mosse Iudeo Oxon dedimus licentiam vendendi Galf. de Lukenore debitum illud in quo Laur. de Cheleston eidem Iudeo tenetur per cartam suam Et etiam idem Galfredo dedimus licentiam emendi idem debitum à praefat Judaeo in forma provisionis supradictae In cujus c. T. R. apud Westm 7. die Maii. Claus 54 H. 3. m. 10. in scâ—ed there is a writ to discharge some debts of the King out of the estate of a deceased Iew directed to the Iustices assigned for their custody In the Patent Rolls of this year I find this recital of the Kings grant of Aaron a Jew to his Sonne Edmond and of Edmonds grant and infranchisement of Aaron and the Kings confirmation thereof Omnibus c. salutem Inspeximus Cartam quam Edmundus fil noster fecit Aaron fil Vynes in haec verba Omnibus praesentem cartam visuris vel audituris Edmundus illustris Regis Angliae filius salutem Cum Dom. Rex pater noster dederit et concesserit Nobis Aaron fil Vynes Iudeum cum omnibus
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