with the Kings Iustices for them and thereupon had a special Writ of restitution awarded to give them actuall possession of them 2ly That those Fines were usually ordered to be paid by certain portions half yearly till satisfied by their heirs 3ly That all the Jews sons were equally heirs to their Fathers lands houses Chattels 4ly That their wives were endowed of their lands and houses and that by special assignment of the Iustices assigned for the custody of the Iews 5ly That if they failed of paying their Fines according to their first composition they must purchase a New order for confirmation thereof else all was null In the Clause roll of 24 H. 3. pars 1. m. 9. scedula there is a writ to the Sheriff of Glocester to receive the debts and goods of one Vinion a Iew of Glocester in sundry Abbots his wives and others hands to the Kings use and deliver them to the Clerk of the wardrobe It seems this year the Sheriff of Glocester had arrested all the Iews of Glocester upon some occasion whereupon this writ to restore them issued Mandatum est Vic. Glouc. quod Iudeis Glouc. liberam administrationem de cattallis suis mobilibus immobilibus quae arestatae fuerunt habere faciat sicut habere debent secundum assisam regni nostri et solent ita quod occasione nullius mandati prius habiti non impediantur T. c. I find this Writ the same year for extending lands for a Iews debt by the Kings Almoner Rex Vic. Kant salutem Sciatis quod Elias le Eveske Iudaeus London concessit Fratri G. Elemosin nostro et custodi Hospitalis nostri de Offspringe pro fine quem idem frater G. fecit cum eo totum debitum quem Andr Kinkerel et Rob. de Syrycon debuerunt praedict Iudaeo Et ideo tibi precipimus quod eidem fratri G. plenam seisinam habere fac de Manerio de magna Delte cum pertinentiis quod est vadium ipsius Iudaei pro dicto debito et eundem fratrem G. in seisina praedict Manerii manuteneâ—tis donec a nobis aliud recipies praeceptum T. R. apud Westm 24 die Ian. In the 25 year of Henry the 3. I find this Writ to several Sheriffs to summon 6 of the richest Iews out of all Counties and Towns wherein the Iews resided to come to treat with the King at VVorcester as well concerning his as their benefit and to seise as well their bodies as chattels if they made default herein Rex Vic. Northampt. salutem Praecipimus tibi quod sicut teipsum et omnia tua diligis et sicut vis quod ac te gravissime non capiamus venire facias coram nobis apud Wigorn die dominica prima ante Cineres sex de ditioribus et potentioribus Judaeâ—is nostris Northampt. et de singulis villis comitatus tui in quibus Judaei maneant vel duos Judaeos secundum numerum eorum ad tractandum nobiscum tam de nostra quam sua utilitate Sciturus quod nisi illuc ad terminum praefatum veneâ—erint Ita manum nostram tam erga corpus quam catalla tua aggravabimus quod tuo perpetuo te sentires non mediocriter praegravari T. R. apud Merleberg 24 die Jan. Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Salop Kauc Lege Ebor. Suthampt. Worcest Linc. Essex Canteb Bedford Herf Warwic Gloucest Buck. Huntindon Heref. Oxon. et Vicecom London quod praedictis die et loco venire faciant sex de di ioribus et potentioribus Judaeis London ad tractandum c. T. ut supra Here we have a Record of a Parliament of Jews summoned out of every County and Town where they inhabited to treat with the King about that which concerned both his and their profit but the issue proved far otherwise to them for they were there constrained to submit unto a Tax of 20 thousand marks imposed on them by the King to be paid that year whereof these Jews themselves were made both the Assessors and Collectors and to levy it by most rigorous distresses from their fellow Jews together with the Sheriffs by the terms prescribed under pain of forfeitiâ—g their goods and estates and the greatest penalties to the terror of all others as appears by these memorable Records concerning it wherein most of the principal Jews then in all places of England are recorded by name being as I conceive those summoned by the former Writ to appear before the King at Worcester Rex Ursello fil Ham. Leoni fil Ham. Mosse sil Ham. Jacobo fil Iaâ—obi Mauasser Leveske Iacobo de Moster Judeis Hereford salutem Sciatis quod constituimus vos Ballivos nostros una cum Vic. nostro Hereford cui idem mandavimus ad disttingend omnes Judaeos de Balliva vestra ad solvend nobis Tallagium nostrum de parte quae vos et illos contingit de hoc ulrimo Tallagio nostro viginti millium marcarum Et ideo vobis firmiter precipimus quod sicut corpora vestra uxorum et puerorum vestrorum et omnia catalla sua diligitis talem districtionem faciatis ad praedict Tallagium nostrum terminos Statutis tam a vobis quam ab aliis de balliva vestra per manum ejusdem Vic. nostri nobis ad Scaâ— nostrum plenius solvatur secundum extractam quam eidem Vic. nostro vobis mittimus ostendeâ—dam Scituri quod a vobis requiremus si quid de praedicto Tallagio nostro in terminis nostris deficerit et tam graviter contra vos manum nostram aggravabimus quod poena vestra erit omnibus ad terrorem T. R. apud Westm 19 die Maii. Rex Vic. Hereford salutem Sciatis quod potestatem dedimus praedictis Judaeis ad distingend omnes Judaeos Hereford ad solvendum nobis Tallagium nostrum de parte quae universis contingit de hoc ultimo Tallagio nostro viginti mill marc Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod sicut te et omnia catalla tua diligis talem districtionem facias una cum praedictis Judaeis ad hoc deputatis quod praâ—dict Tallagium nostrum terminis statutis tam ab ipsis Judaeis praedict quam ab aliis de eadem villa per manum tuam nobis ad Scac. nostrum plene solvetur secundum extractam quam tibi mittimus praedictis Vrsello et sociis suis ostendendam sciturus quod si contigerit quod de praedicto Tallagio aliquid in terminis praedict defuerit tam ad corpus tuum quam ad catalla tua nos graviter capiemus T. R. apud Westm 13 die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus subscriptis Vicecomitibus et Judeis de Tallagio regis colligendo The names of the Iews appointed to levy it in all places are thus subscribed under these Writs London Benedictus Crespin Jacobus Crespin Aaron fil Abraham Aaron Blund Elias le Eveske Leo Blund Ebor. Aaron fil Jocei Leo le Eveske Joseus Nepos Aaron Joseus de Kent
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 Polâ—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 drawn 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 Viceâ—â—miâ—i 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 sicut plenius continecur in Carta regis quam eis modo fieri fecimus mandatum est eidem Vicecomiti quod dictam cartam in plenoâ—comitatu suo legi et clamaâ—i 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 on 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 Inquisitions 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 catero in nullo sint intendentes vel respondentes Roberto Passelewe de â—iis quae ad custodiam Iudâ—orum 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 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 relaâ—ed â—â—â—nd 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 ponatis in respectum coram n4obis apud London usque in 15 dies a die Saencti Hil. An. r. n. 19. accepta prius securitate de praedictis Iudaeis de centum marcis ad opus uostrum 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 lofing the money lent or falling under the Kings amerâ—ment 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 terram 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
reddiderunt pro residuo illins termini non distringatis donec aliud a nobis habueritis mandatum T. R. The same year the King issued this writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London to prevent the Jews and other Goldsmiths exchange and abasing of silver contrary to the assize of the Exchange and seise those who were guilty of it and their silver Rex Majori Vic. London salutem Praecipimus vobis quod in praesentia Thes nostri et custodis Cambii nostri venire faciatis coram vobis Adam de Shoredich Thomam de Stanes and four more named Aurifabros London et ab iis Sacramentum capiatis quod nec per se nec per aliquem alium Christianum vel Judeum cambient vel ement vel vendent argentum aliquod vel in plata vel in mina vel in aliquo alio argento contra assisam et constitutionem Cambii nostri nec cambiri nec etiam procurabunt nec permittent nec per se nec per alium et quod diligenter inquirant inquiri faciant si qui aurifabri Christiani vel Judei talia temptaverint et â—ex quo aliquem cambientem ementem vel vendentem invenerint contra assisam praedicti Cambij corpus ipsius cum argento et catallis suis attachiari faciant donec aliud inde praeceptum T. ut supra This year I find a Writ to the Justices of the Jews to free one from paying Usury to a Jew upon the ground expressed in the record relating the Jews unconscionable dealing usual in such cases Rex Justiciar ad custod Judaeorum assignat salutem Monstravit nobis Magister Laur. Travers quod cum die Pentec An. r. n. 24 quandam summam pecuniae mutuo recipisset a Benedicto Judaeo Oxon. quam infra mensem a quo pecuniam illam mutuo recepit per manum ipsius Magistri ad Judeum solvend transmisit dictus Judeus eo quod tempore illo pignora ipsius Magistri quae signata erant in Cista Judeorum signo nostro restituere non valebat pecuniam illam non admisit et de pecunia illa de toto tempore ejusdem non soluta usuras exigit a predicto Magistro ac si per incuriam ipsius et defectum remaneret per tantum tempus solvend Quia vero eidem Magistro non est imputandum quod pecuniam illam tempore debito non solvit et iniquum videtur quod inde usuras solvere debet Vobis mandamus quod si idem Magister monstr poterit per se vel per attornatum suum quod res ita se habeat tunc ipsum ab usurarum prestatâ—one quietum esse faciatis a tempore quo dictam pecuniam paratus fuit eidem Judeo solvere T. R. apud Windl 18 die Octob. The same year I find this Writ to the Constable of the Tower to send some Jews of Bristol imprisoned in the Tower for a murder to Bristol Castle to be there tried for it before the Justices Itinerant Rex Constabular Turr. London salutem Precipimus tibi quod Puentam uxorem Iacobi de Custantes Iacobum fil Iacobi et Bestotam uxorem ejus Iudeos Bristol captos et detentos in prisona nostra predict Turris pro moâ—â—e Alic fil Eve cariari fac usque Bristol ad custus Burgensium nostrorum Bristol Ita quod 〈◊〉 ibi a die Sancti Ioh. Bapt. in 15 dies ad standum inde recto coram Iustic nostr ibid. in prox Itineraturis eosdemque Iudeos liberari fac Constabulario castri nostri Bristol cui praecipimus quod eos cum ibidem venerint recipiat T. c. Et mandatum est Constab Bristol quod eos recipiat In the 26 year of H. 3. these Records concerning the Iews are yet extant the first shewing they were enforced to give their wives and children for hostages Mandatum est Iustic ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod si Samaritanus Iudeus Winton invenerit eis omnem eam securitatem quae coram W. Ebor. Arch de consilio Regis Provisa fuit et ordinata pro qua securitate merdien dedit uxorem suam et filios suos obsides qui tenentur in Turr. Regis London tunc praedicto Saaritano praedictos uxorem et filios deliberari fac per eundem Arâ—a VVimmodham 25 die Iun. The King this year appointed a new Keeper of the Iews chest at VVinchester not being well kept by the former by this Writ Quia Rex audivit quod Archa regis Iudeorum Winton miâ—â—s bene custodiatur tam ad opus Regis quam Christianorum Judeorum Mandatum est Vic Suthampt. 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 Fraymâ—to quod cum ipsa cum nuper essemus 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 esset 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 Moreclac 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
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 illud 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 clamari 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 uâ—que in unum annum proximo sequentem Ita quod ad Summonitionem Regis vel Ballivorum suorum in quorum Ballivis ipsi fuerunt manentes prompti inveniri non possint quod vir ipsius Iudeae et etiam ipsa Iudaea et omnes pueri sui statim utlagentur et omnes terrae redditus et omnia catalla sua in manum Regis capiantur et incontinenti vendantur ad opus Regis Et quod de caetero non redeant in regnum Angliae sine speciali licentia Regis The King had then a design to tax all the Iewes wives and children by the poll which occasioned this strict proclamation that they might be alwayes ready to be polled and fleeced at his pleasure there being an heavy Tax then imposed on them In the same year and Roll this Precept was directed to Aaron the Iew of Yorke then taxed as it seems at one hundred pounds Mandatum est Aaroni Iudaeo de Ebor. quod sicut diligit corpus suum statim visis literis tradat latori illarum viginti marcas Regi deferendas de arreragiis centum librarum quas Regi solvisse debuit in festo Nativitatis Sanctae Mariae proximo praeterito Ita quod hoc quemlibet lateat praeter ipsum Aaronem et latorem supradictum Teste Rege apud Woodstock quinto die Decembris In the 30 of H. 3. I find these Records concerning the Jews Rex concessiit Iacobo fratri Elie le Eveske Judeo London pro laudabili servicio suo quod Regi et Reginae impendit sedendo a Scac. Judeorum domos quae fuerunt Iocei de Colecester Iudei Linc. in Oxon. quae devenerunt in manum Regis tanquam escaeta Regis tenendum tota vita ipsius Jacobi Reddendo inde singulis annis Conversis Lond. 10s viz. 5s ad fest St Mich. et 5s ad Pasch In cujus c. T. R. apud VVodestoke 10 die Sept. Et mandat est Vic. Oxon. quod de praedict domibus cum pertidentiis ei plenam seisinam habere faciat T. ut supra Pat. 30. H. 3. m. 7. The King agreed to receive a fine of 3000 l. of Masse son of Hamond a Jew of Hereford Pro habenbis catallis et bonis of his deceased Father to be paid at certain times part whereof is there assigned This year many Jews Men and women were accused and ordered to be tried for clipping of money as appears by Claus 30 H. 3. pars 1 m. 9. Mandat est Justiciariis ad custodiam Iudeorum assign quod Iudeos et Iudeas rectatos de retonsura denariorum venire faciant coram Justic de Banco Ita quod sint ibi in octabis S.
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 sequens ad 18 libras et sic DE ANNO IN ANNUM ad eosdem terminos ad 36 libras Ita quod post praefatum terminum praedictorum quatuor annorum ad majorem pecuniae summam modo talliatur 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 the rest Mandatum est Vic. Kanc. quod si Judei Cantuar. 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 possit 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 dâ—e Sept. Mandat est Vic. Ebor. quod sicut seipsum diligit habeat ad Scac Regis in Octabis Sancti Michaelis de Aaron de Ebor. Judeo de novo Tallagio super eum assesso 16 l. 11 s. Et de eodem de veteri Tallagio super eum assesso unde Vic. alias recepit mandatum Regis 26 l. 7 s. et de caeteris Judeis Civitatis Ebor. de noâ—o Tallagio 14 l. 11 s. et de eisdem 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 there limited into the Exchequer Et mandatum est Baron de Scac. et Justic ad custod Judeorum assignatis quod sic fieri et irrotulari 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 portio quae ipsum continget de Tallagio praedicto et si decrescatur simili modo Ita tamen quod si tota Communitas Judeorum Regi gravetur de Tallagio praedicto aut summa X. millium marc debeat decrescere eo quod idem Salmon est ad talem summam respondeat at idem Iudeus ad liberatum librae suae de praedict 20 l. sicut alii Judei faciunt in tallagio suo 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
Iudeo residentiam in Scaccario Judeorum in servicio regis et quod ad ipsum pertinet secundum legem Scaccarii regis sicut et predecessores sui clerici regis ibidem habere consueverunt Teste ut supra per R. Waker The Iews could not then reside nor enjoy any office in the Iews Exchequer without the Kings special grant and license Neither could they sue for any debt especially upon an Obligation out of their common Chest without the Kings expresse license and grant Witnesse the president in the self same Roll and others forecited King Henry in the 36 of his reign granted by Patent to Aaron of York Elye le Eveske de London and Solomon le Eveske that for 4 years next ensuing they should not be taxed above set summes a year there mentioned to be paid half yearly by them into the Exchequer and that their set sums should be allowed in the original taxes assessed upon the commonalty of the Jews and be abated proportionably as their tax was abated Yea he granted this exemption to Aaron his Wife children not to be distrained and imprisoned for their debts or taxes so long as he had goods to satisfie them and to sue for goods and debts though out of the chest Rex omnibus salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Aaron de Ebor. Iudeo nostro quod nec ipse nec uxor ejus nec eorum pueri distingantur per corpora sua nec imprisonentur quamdiu catalia sua sufficiant ad districtionem faciend pro debitis nostris In cujus c. duratur per biennium T. R. apud VVestm 15 die Marcii Et mandat est Iustic ad custodiam Iudaeorum assign quod sic fieri et irrotulari faciant T. ut supra per Regem Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod concessimus Aaron de Ebor. Iudeo nostro quod possit placitare coram Iustic nostris ad cust Iud. assign pro catallis et debitis suis recuperandis et ea petere sine occasione usque ad summam 400 lib. sine receptione Usurae licet catalla illa et debita fuerunt extra Archam Cyrogr. In cujus c. T. ut supra The like License to sue for Debts and Chattels out of the Chest to such a summe sine receptione Usurae I finde granted this year to Copin a London Jew to other Jews the same year with a writ to deliver a Jew out of prison committed upon a false complaint and this pardon of two Jews wives for flying to avoid imprisonment for their husbands taxes Rex pardonavit Floriae uxori Elye Blundi et Pigonae uxori Aaron Blundi Wayneriam quam meis Justiciariis promulgarunt pro fuga quam fecerunt pro Tallio super praedict Elye et Aaron assesso et mandat est praedict Justic quod praedict Floria et Pygona propter hoc non occasionentur T. R. apud Windsore 12 die Feb. Per ipsum Regem There was likewise this year a precept to the Iustices to give a Jews wife her full and reasonable dower of her husbands chattels Mandatum est Iusticiariis ad custod c. quod si Rosa quae fuit uxor Leonis Epi Iudei Ebor. nondum plenè habuit Dotem suam de catallis quae fuerunt ejusdem Leonis tunc eidem Iudeae plenam et rationabilem dotem suam habere faciant secundum legem et consuetudinem Judaismi Regis T. R. Per ipsum Regem This year the King assigned certain Jews of London to tax the rest of the Jews upon a common tax then imposed on them in this manner Rex assignavit Eliam Epis et Aaron fil Abrah Iudeos London ad assidend Tallagium super Communitate Iudeorum nostrorum London it a videlicet quod communitas illa eligat ipsis tercium idoneum ad Tallagium illud una cum dictis Eli Aaron assidend Et mandat est Constabul Turris London quod ipsum tercium sic electum eis faciat associari firmiter injungendo eis quod taliter ipsi provideant de Tallagio illo assidendo quod Rex illud terminis Statutis habeat et quod pro defectu eorum non oporteat regi graviter se capere ad Talliatores praedictos Teste per Philip Luvel It seems this tax then assessed amounted to 3500 marks by this ensuing record that year Rex Iustic ad custod Jud c. Sciatis quod Manuel Blund Judeus obtulit nobis dimid marc auri ut de Tallagio 3 mill marc et 500 marc talliaretur secundum catalla sua sicut ceteri Iudei de Communitate London talliantur Et ideo vobis mandamus quod si judicetis hoc esse ad commodum nostrum sic fieri faciatis T. R. How strictly this tax was levied appears by this writ to destrain the Lands Revenues wives children and chattels of all the Jews in York and for the arrears of Aaron too notwithstanding his former exemption Mandat est Vic. Ebor quod distringat Aaron de Ebor Iudeum et omnes alios Judeos Ebor. per terras et tenementa catalla uxores et filios et omnibus aliis modis quibus melius poterit ad reddend Regi Tallagium suum de terminis Sancti Martini et St. Hillarii prox preteritis et id sicut seipsum diligit non omittat T. R. apud Notingh 14 die Ian. I find a Precept of the King this year to detein a convert Jew in prison accused of a Rape and other Trespasses such Converts were they then Mandatum est Vic. Linc. quod M. conversum commorantem apud Tornie capiat et in prisona Regis salvo custodiat donec c. per Orfanna de Geterleg apellat de raptu et pace Regis fracta T. R. And this year Edw. de Westm Will. de Bretun Tho Espernun assignati sunt ad Inquisuionem fac de concelamentis Iudaismi tam in London quam alibi Anno 37 H. 3. The Jews advancing 5000 marks to the King beforehand for his passage into Gascoigne he thereupon made this Grant to them to be exempted from taxes till Easter and granted them writs in form of appeal if over-taxed witness this record Rex concessit omnibus Iudeis Angliae quod pro 4000 marc quas regi praemanibus ad passagium suum in Vascon pacaverint et pro 1000 marc quas Regi Ric. Com. Cornub. ad dictum passagium pro eis solvit quod sint quieti de Tallagio facto ad passagium regis in Vascon pro pred 5000 marc et quod non tallientur citra Pasche et omnes Iudei qui utlagati sunt pro dicto Tall. si placare voluerint quod debeant de dicto Tall. Rex concedit eis quod ad pacē Regis veniant Rex tamen vult quod nullū Breve allocationis valeat alicui Iudeo in isto Tallagio quia R. Com. Cornubiae 1000 marc de dicto Tallagio habere debet Rex etiam vult
Fischamp Petro de Winton Cler. et faciend inde quod Rex eis injunxit Anno 46 H. 3. I find 18 several Jews paying several fines to the King fot Patents and that they might abide within certain Towns As likewise a Precept to the Constable of the castle of Glocester to seise all the chattels houses Lands and tenements of Caupon a Jew of Glocester and keep them safe till the King gave farther Order with this further command to the Barons Mandatum est Baron de Scac. Quod omnes Cartas Tallias et instrumenta inventa in Archis Regis Cyrographariis de debitis Judeorum per Angliam Regi relictis seu concessis post ultimum scrutinium et proventum fact de debitis predictis per illos quos Rex ad hoc deputavit coram eis venire faciant ad praedicta debita ad usus Regis levanda secundum quod Rex eis injunxit T. c. He likewise made several grants to Jews not to release pardon respite or extend their Debts in this form Rex omnibus c. Sciatis Quod per finem quem Benedictus de Lincoln Judeus fecit nobiscum et de quo nobis satisfecit in Garderoba nostra concessimus eidem Iudeo quod de nullis debitis suis quae eidem debentur aliquam extentam aut terminorum prorogationem quietantiam seu donationem aliquam faciemus infra quinquennium à tempore confectionis praesentium literatum In cujus c. T. R. apud Windsore 15. die Maii. The like Patents were then granted to 4 other Jews and to 8. Jews more on the 19th of February The Jews of Canterbury complaining to the King of violence offered to them by the people in Canterbury who broke open their doores beat them and intended to burn their houses with fire in the night issued this commission to inquire out the Malefactors that they might be punished Cum Rex ex parte Judaeorum Cant. gravem accepit querimoniam quod quidem malefactores et pacis Regis perturbatores tam Clerici quam Laici ejusdem civitatis nuper venerunt noctanter ad domos eorundem Judeorum in eadem villa et ostia et fenestra eorundem domorum securibus exciderunt et fregerunt et ad domus illas comburendas ignem ibidem detulerunt postmodum quoâ—dam ex Judeis praedictis enormiter verberaverunt maletractaverunt contra pacem Regis Rex assignavit Walt. de Bersted ad inquirend per sacram c. qui transgressionem praedict fecerunt quid per eandem inquisitionem invenerit regi in propria persona sua sine dilatione scire fac ut ad insolentiam predict malesactorum reprimendam et correctionem debitam de transgressionibus predict faciendam de consilio suo faciat quod super fuerit faciendum Et mandat est Vic. Kanc. c. The Justices of Assize this year proceeding notwithstanding a Prohibition from the Justices of the Jews to stay the proceedings in a suit for a Jews house in Colchester which was recovered by his default notwithstanding the Prohibition thereupon there issued this writ of restitution for the Jew Rex Vic. Essex salutem Cum Willielmus de Ponte nuper Arraniavit per Breve nostrum quandam Assisam novae disseisinae coram Nich. de True et sociis suis Justic nostris ultimo Itin. in Com. Essex vers Hanekun de Flemeg et Ursellum Judeum de Colecester de ten in Colecester ac per Iohannem de Weston et Tho. de Pynkesden Iustic ad custod Iud. assign eidem Ursello sit inhibitum ne alibi quam coram eis super aliquo respondere praesumeret per quod idem Ursell coram praefato Nicho. et sociis suis Iustic nostris comparere non audebat praefato Willielmo inde respondere Cumque Assisa illa per defaltum praefati Urselli tunc capta fuisset ac idem Willus seisinam de tenem predicto per ret Assisae praedict â—ecuperavit Attendentes absentiam praefati Iudaei occasione Inhibitionis praedict sibi factae ei non debere imputari tibi praecipimus quod praefato Iudeo tenem praedict cum pertinentiis rehabere fac tenendum absque destructione vel absque alienatione aliqua inde facienda vizt usque in crastinum Epiphaniae Dom prox futur ita quod tunc vel citra per praedict Mich. Johan Tho. quos Iustic nostros ad hoc assignavimus exhibeant in praemissis utraque parte Iusticiae complementum Et tu ipse provideas quod per judicium supradictum de tenemento illo nulla fiat alienatio seu domorum deterioratio nec aliquo modo inde fiat destructio per quod tenementum illus interim deteriorari contingat T. apud Westm 20 die Octob. This year the King committed all the Jews to his son Edward granting him the use of the Seales of his Exchequer to seal his Writs and a new Prison as this Record informs us Rex Thesaur et Baron suis de Scac. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Edwardo fil nostro cui Judaismum nostrum commissimus quod Justic sui ad custod Judeorum assignat habeant Sigillum Scac. nostri Judeorum penes se quod omnia brevia et mandata ad Iudaismum illum spectantia subsigillo Scac. nostri Judeorum mittant ad sigilla nostra de cancellaria vel de Scaccario nostro Ita quod brevia et mandata praedict ibi sine difficultate consignantur Et mandamus Magistro I. de Chishal Cancellario Scac. nostri quod brevia et mandata illa sine difficultate consignari fac et attornatos ejusdem filii nostri omnes denar inde provenient percipere permittat ad opus ejusdem fil nostri Volumus etiam quod idem fil noster habeat prisonam ad Judeos et alios distringendos et Justiciandos prout secundum legem et consuetudinem regni nostri fieri debet et consue vit Et ideo sic fieri faciatis T. R. 12 die Iulii Mandatum est I. de Chishal Cancellar Scac. reg quod omnia brevia mandata quae Justic ad custod Jud. assign sibi mittant sub sigillo Scac. reg Judeorum sine difficultate consignari fac Et attornatos Edwardi fil reg cui rex Iudaismum suum commisit et omnes denarios de praedictis brevibus et mandatis provenientes percipere permittat ad opus ejusdem fil regis T. ut supra This year the King issued out this Writ to extract quoddam feodum out of the Chests of the Iews of Malle a Iew of Canterbury which the King granted to another directed Cyropraph Justiciariis Iudeis Cant. illum habeatis coram Justic nostr ad custod Iudeorum assign at a set day per unum ex vobis sub sigillis vestris praedict Iusticiariis nostris liberand ad faciend inde praeceptum nostrum Et habeas ibi hoc Breve T. W. Bagod apud Westm 4 die Iun. There
are 3 more the like Writs this year The King by his Charters this year granted sundry fees and annuities of several Iews by their assents specified in their Charters in which several persons were obliged by their Charters to these Iews and their heirs unto Robert Walerand Habend tenend eidem Roberto haeredibus suis libere quiete integre in pace sine reclamatione nostri haeredum nostrorum Iudeorum praedictorum in perpetuum secundum tenorem praedict Cartarum c. Dat. per manum nostram apud Westm 2 die Febr. King Henry in the 47 year of his reign confirmed Prince Edwards grant of the Iews to whom he formerly assigned them unto the Caturcensian Merchants to whome the Iews and Judaisme were morgaged for moneys advanced on them by this Patent Rex universis ad quos c. salutem Cum Edwardus noster dilectus Primogenitus ex praecepto assessu et voluntate nostra concesserit tradiderit insolutum Petro Ceraudo Willo Bernand frarribus pro seipsis eorum sociis civibus et Mercatoribus Caturcens pro mutuo per Dom. Edwardum ab eisdem Mercatoribus habito recepto London pro negotiis ipsius Edwardi regn nostri gravibus arduis totum Iudaismum nostrum ipsius regni nostri cum Scac. ejusdem Iudaismi et omnibus et singulis aliis proventibus et exitibus ceterisque ad idem Iudaismum spenctantibus Habend et tenend a die confectionis instrumenti interdict Edwardum et prefatos mercatores super dicto mutuo confecto usque ad quindenam sancti Iohis Baptistae Anno Dom. 1265. Prout in instrumento praedicto Patente seu literis dicti Edwar. quod seu quas eidem Mercatores penes se habent plenius continetur Nos praedict concessionem et traditionem ratas habentes et gratas eisdem praedict mercatoribus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris inviolabiter concedimus ac etiam in omnibus confirmamus Promittentes nos praedict concessionem et traditionem prout in praenominato instrumento seu literis sunt contentae warrantizare protegere seu defendere contra omnes pro nobis et heredibus nostris In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras eisdem Mercatoribus fieri fecimus patentes Dat apud London 11 die Iunii An. r. n. 47. his Testibus Dom. Rico. rege Aleman fratre nostro Humfred de Bohun Com. Heresord et Essex Tho. Basset Justic nostr Angl. Hugh le Bygod Iohn Mansel Thes Ebor. Rob. Waller Ebulone de Montibus Petro de Essevel et aliis This year some Iews were indicted before the Justices itinerant and imprisoned and outlawed for receiving stollen goods as this Record informs us to stop the Utlawry Rex Vic. Sussex salutem Cum Manuel de Maford et Jacob fil Benedict Iudei nuper indictati coram Iustic nostris ultimo itinerantibus in com tuo de receptamento latrocinium se reddiderunt ad prisonam nostram parati inde secundum legem consuetudinem regni nostri stare juri tibi preceptum fuit ab eisdem Iustic nostris ipsos de Comitatu in comit propter contumaciam suam exigi praeter modum utlagari Tibi praecipimuâ— quod ab utlagaria in ipsos promulgata desistas bona eorundem Iudeorum ad opus nostrum reservari salvo custodiri fac donec aliud inde tibi praecipimus Teste Rege apud Westm 14 die Febr. King Henry Anno 48. made this Proclamation to prevent all violence against the Jews in VVinton and other places and preserve them theirs under his peace and protection as well as his other subjects threatning losse of life and Member to all such as should hurt or molest them as this Patent manifests committing them to the protection of 26 of the chief Citizens of Winchester by this Patent Rex Willo Fromund and to 25 more there named Civibus suis Winton salutem Cum divina cooperante gratia Pax in regno nostro ordinata sit firmata et ubique per ipsum regnum proclamata ac de consilio Baronum nostrorum provisum sit et ex parte nostra et ipsorum publice sit inhibitum ne quis sub poena exhaeredationis et periculo vitae et membrorum super aliquem currat nec homicidia vel incendia de predationes vel roberias seu alia hujusmodi faciat enormia nec cuiquam damnum inferat contra pacem nostram Cumque Judeos nostros Winton in nostram defensionem et protectionemspecialem suscepimus una cnm familiis rebus et omnibus possessionibus suis et ad tuitionem et majotem securitatem eorum vos de consilio Baronum nostrorum ad custodiam ipsorum Judeorum assignavimus Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus per totam Civitatem praedict ex parte nostra et Baronum nostrorum praedict publice proclamari et firmiter inhiberi faciatis ne quis sub periculo vitae et membrorum praedictis Judeis vel suis familiis in personis vel rebus suis inferat dampnum molestiam vel gravamen Et vos ipsi Judeos ipsos familias suas res terras et omnes possessiones eorum infra praedictam civitatem et extra quantum in vobis est manuteneatis protegatis et defendatis talem ad hoc diligentiam apponentes quod vos inde merito commendare possumus Teste Rege apud St. Paulum London 14 die Iunii The King by the like Letters Patents committed the Jews of Nothampton to 26 Burgesses of the Town to be garded and protected by them whose names are specified in the Patent which recites Cum propter turbationem nuper habitam in regno nostro et maxime propter conflictum nuper habitum apud Northampt. Judei Northampt. ad cast fugerunt ibidem pro timore moram hactenus fecerunt Castrum illud exire non audentes de quo jacturam non modicam jam incurrimus ac sedata turbatione praedicta et inspirante gratia divina pax inter Nos et Barones nostros ordinata sit ac firmata ac in regno nostro publice proclamata propter quod de consilio nostro providimus quod eidem Judei redeant in villam prxdict ibidem moraturi sicut prius morari consueverunt Ac etiam ad tuitionem et majorem securitatem eorundem vos ad custodiam eorum assignavimus Vobis mandamus quod Judeos illos et omnes possessiones suas manuteneatis c. as in the former Cyrographariis autem et custodibus Archae Judeorum in villa praedicta cum opus fuerit consulentes sitis et auxiliantes ad ea facienda et exequenda quae ad officium suum pertinent in eadem villa pro quo diligentiam vestram merito commendare debeamus T. R. apud St. Paulum 2 die Iun. The like Patents were sent Majori Vicecomitibus London reciting the publike peace proclaimed as the first Patent doth then adding
Cumque Iudeos nostros London pro timore turbationis supradict adhuc existentes apud Turrim nostram London in nostram defensionem et protectionem suscipimus specialem una cum familiis rebus et omnibus possessionibus eorundem ac ipsis Judeis concessimus quod ad domos suas infra Civitatem praedict libere redire eas secure et absque aliquo impedimento inhabitare possint sicut prius ante turbationem praedict fieri consueverunt Vobis de consilio Baronum praedict mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus per totam civitatem praedict ex parte nostra et Baronum ipsorum publice proclamari et firmiter inhiberi faciatis ne quis sub periculo vitae et membrorum praed Judeis et familis suis in personis vel rebus eorum inferat dampnum molestiam vel gravamen Vos autem eos de caetero infra Civitatem praed â—quam extra quantum in vobis est manuteneatis protegatis et defendatis pro quo vos specialiter recommendare debeamus T. R. apud St. Paulum London 11 die Iunii The like Patents were granted to most other Towns where the Jews resided who by reason of the late troubles fled into Castles to preserve their lives and goods from plunder during the civil wars between the King and Barons wherein many of them were pillaged of all their estates and some killed In the Fine Roll of 48 H. 3. I find sundry releases made by the King to diverse English men of the Fees and debts belonging unto Jews running in this unusuall form Rex Justic ad custod Judeorum assign salutem Sciatis Nos de gratia nostra speciali remisisse diâ—ilectis et fidelibus nostris Rogero Bertram and sundry others there named Ut nobis devotiores et ad obsequium nostrum promptiores efficiantur omnia feoda in quibus ipsi aut eorum antecessor teneb quibuscunque Judeis nostris Angliae Pardonavimus etiam prefatis R. c. fidelibus nostris praedict omnes usuras et poenas in quibus ipsi vel sui antecessores eisdem Iudeis per cartas suas teneantur Ita videlicet quod in pecunia quam praedict R. c. a prefatis Judeis mutuo ceperunt eisdem Judeis reddere teneantur super qua quidem pecunia prefat R. c. sacramento suo coram vobis prestito et aliorum fide dignorum ad hoc juratorum credantur Et ideo vobis mandamus quod omnes Iudeos qui in regno nostr existunt presentes vel haetedes eorum qui mortui sunt quibus iidem fideles nostri in aliquo debito tenebantur certis diebus et locis coram vobis venite et omnes cartas per quas omnibus Judeis Angliae tenebantur in aliquibus debitis vel feodis ab Archis Cyrograph Judeorum extrahi et eisdem liberari et ipsos de predict feodis de poenis et usuâ—is quietos esâ—e et sic fieri et irrotulari faciatis Ita tamen quod dict pecunia sic a Iudeis praefat mutuo accepta praedicti R. c. eisdem Iudeis ad rationabiles terminos quos eis assignabitis satisfaciant Ita quod dicta pecunia sic mutuata non usuret et si praefaâ—i Judei veâ— aliqui ex ipsis fuerint mortui ita quod catalla sua sunt nostra escaeta tunc praedicti R. c. nobis inde satisfaciant ad Scac. nostrum T. R. apud VVestm 28 die Octob. The like I find to this in Fines 49 H. 3. m. 6 Anno 49 H. 3. 〈◊〉 meet with this Record about a Charter supposed to be forged by a Jew Rex Majori Northam salutem Cum ad suggestionem tuam Johannem fil Eustach c. Isaac de Burd c. Iudeos pro quadam carta falsa confecta per te arrestari et salvum custodiri praecipimus et Th de Brampton c. manuceperunt coram nobis ad habendum praefat Johan c. coram Iustic nostris ad custod Iud assignat a die c. ad standum recto si quis versus eos inde lonqui voluerit Tibi praecipimus quod praefat Iudeos in propria persona tua habeas coram praefat Justiâ— die praedict ad standum recto de crimine supradicto Et hoc sicut te et omnia tua diligis nullatenus omittas et habeas ibi cartam praedictam et hoc Breve T. R. apud Hereford 12 die Maii. There is the like writ for others in the same case The same year this writ issued to seise all the Jews and Judaism into the Kings hand formerly granted to Pr. Edward because he had joyned with some Rebels against the King allowing some displacing other of his Officers and commanding them not to obey the Prince Rex Thesaur et Camer ariis suis salutem Quia Edwardus fil â— cui Judaismum nostrum sicut 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 firmi 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 Rich 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
ne Crestien ne lachate sur forfeiture de son chatel et de son heritage Et ensement est purveu par lavant dit Roy et par le consell 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 ni si 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 sc 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 bonis debitis catallis suis liberam et quietam de omnibus Tallagiis auxiliis prestitis et demanmandis quibuscunque ita quod eum cum omnibus bonis catallis suis habeamus et teneamus cum omnibus libertatibus legibus et consuetudinibus Iudaismi Angliae prout hujusmodi concessio in praedicti patris nostri carta super hoc confecta plenius continetur Nos eidem Aaron Iudeo specialem gratiam facere volentes ipsum cum omnibus bonis debitis et catallis suis tenore praesentium donavimus libertati concedentes eidem quod ipse toto tempore vitae suae liber sit de nobis ab omnibus Tallagiis auxiliis prestitis demandis reddend nobis quamdiu vixerit quolibet anno ad festum Pentecost unum par caelcarium deaurator pro omnibus exactionibus demandis In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nostrum fecimus apponi Dat. Winton 11 die Augusti Anno Reg. Dom. patr nostr praedicti 54. Nos autem praedictas donationem concessionem c. pro nobis haeredibus nostris quantum in nobis est concedimus et confirmamus sicut carta praedicta rationabiliter testatur T. ut supra Here the King grants a Jews person with all his goods debts and chattels to his Son like an absolute Villain and his Son thus infranchiseth him afterwards by this Charter which the King confirms and is mentioned in 18 E. 1. * hereafter cited This grant of Aaron by his Son is recited in this Patent Roll with this addition Volumus etiam quod idem Aaron habeat Archam ad reponend Cyrogr. sua loco quo in terris ipsius filii nostri moraturus fuerit secundum legem et consuetudinem Judaismi nostri et quod ministri nostri levari faciant eidem Iudeo debita sua quae ei debentur vel debebuntur de debitoribus suis in regno nostro prout rationabiter monstrare poterit per Cyrogr. sua vel per literas patentes quod ei in debitis illis teneantur prout de jure secundum legem et consuetudinem Judaismi praedict fuit faciendum I find this Patent of the Kings this year contradicting his Title to a Jews house as escheated to him by his death and ratifying the Jews demise thereof by his last Will. Rex omnibus
in brief and some he cites at large too that those Judges Lawyers and young Students who rely upon him and his Quotations as infallible Oracles and deem it a disparagement once to question them will but deceive both themselves and others as I have undeniably manifested in his grosse mistakes concerning the Statute de Iudaismo and Jews banishment out of England in my former Demurrer and in his mistake in this very Roll. Wherefore I shall advise them all still to try his Records and Quotations before they trust them and to practise that Rule himself so frequently urgeth but yet overmuch forgot Tutius est petere fontes quam sectari rivulos having never met with so many grosse Misquotations and mistakes of Records in any Mans writings as I have found in his though otherwise a Man of rare abilities in points of Law but no such Antiquary Record-man or Historian as the world esteem him Which I no ways publish to disparage his honourable Memory or usefull Publications but to caution all of his Profession for whose benefit and information I have published these Records to take heed they be not â—educed by his venerable authority to imbrace or relyupon his frequent mistakes misquotations of Records and Antiquities for undoubted verities But to return from this necessary digression to my former Text. In these Patents Rolls of 3 E. 1. I find frequent mention of the forcited Ordinance of 23 H. 3. recorded in the red Book of the Exchequer prohibiting any Jews to grant or assign their debts of Christians to any Christians without the Kings special license first obtained c. together with sundry special licenses granted by the King to assign and grant their debts to Christians and ro them to receive such assignments of them Take these few presidents of this kind instead of many other Rex omnibus ad quos c. salutem Cum tempore Domini Henrici Regis Patris nostri provisum esset Quod nullus Iudâ—eus debitum aliquod quod sibi a Christiano debebatur vendere posset alicui nisi prius super hoc ab eodem Patre nostro obtentis gratia licentia Et si quis debitum hujusmodi ex licentia sua ab aliquo Judaeo emeret non plus haberet in eodem quâm ipse Pater noster vel nos haberemus si debitum illud esset in manu nostra vel in manu ejusdem Patris nostri vidâ—licet 〈◊〉 contentam in Carta super hoc confecta sine Vsura Nos Mosseo filio Jac. de Oxon. Josceo filio Benedicâ—i Jacobo Sablyn de Eboraco Iudaeis gratiam facere volentes specialem dedimus eisdem licentiam vendendi dilecto Clerico nostro Thomae de Gunes quoddam debitum quadraginta septem Librarum in quo Thomas de Tausterne de Eyton et Walterus de Rodistan eisdem Mosseo Josceo et Jacobo tenentur per Cartas suas Dedimus etiam Licentiam eidem Thomae emendi debitum illud a Judaeis in forma Provisionis supra-dictae In Cujus c. Teste Rege apud Thame 24 die Julii The like licences were granted the same year in these Ifsame form to Isaac de Prouyns a Jew of Lincoln and to Aaron de la Rye a Jew of London to sell their respective debts specified in the Licences to R. Bishop of Bath and VVells and to him to buy them reciting the foresaid Ordinance of Henry the 3. And in the Patent Rolls of 4 E. 1. m. 12. and 22. And in diverse other Patent Rols afterwards in this Kings reign I find sundry Licences to other Jews to sell their debts therein specified and to Christians to buy them all running in the very same form and reciting the foresaid Ordinance in the self-same Words which proved very gainfull to the King and his Officers who would not grant such Licenses gratis As the Jews could not assign nor dispose of their own debts to others without the Kings special License and grace so the King on the other side could dispose of respite and release their debts inquire of and search after them at his pleasure and grant them to his own Queen or others as these Records in 3 E. 1. inform us Rex Justiciariis suis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Cum nuper concessimus carissimae Consorti nostrae Alienorae Reginae Angliae omnia debita in quibus Norman de Arsy tenebatur quibuscunque Judaeis Regni nostri vobis mandaverimus quod dicta debita secundum legem consuetudinem Iudaismi nostri levari praefatae Consorti nostrae habere faceretis ac eadem Consors nostra debita de quibus dictus Normannus tenebatur Aaroni de la Rye et Mossaeo de Clare nondum habuerit ut accepimus Vobis mandamus quod Cartas praedictas ab Archa Cirograph extrahi et cum irrotulatae fuerint reponi et debita illa secundum Legem et consuetudinem Judaismi praedicti levari et praefate Consorti nostrae habere et sic fieri et irroâ—ulari faciatis Itaquod praefaâ—â— Consors nostra eisdem Cartis commodum suum facere possit prout magis viderit expedire Teste Rege apud Westm 4 die Julii Mandantum est Justiciariis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis quod Scrutatis Rotulis de Scaccario Judaismi nostri Regi sub Sigillo suo ejusdem Scaccarii sine dilatione constare faciant quibus quot debitis Willielmus de Appledresfeld tenetur in Judaismo Regis vel Judaeis suis quibuscunque per Cartas suas vel alio modo Et hoc Breve remittant T. R. apud Bellum locum Regis 24 die Ianuar. Praeceptum est Vicecom Suthampt. quod demandam quam de dicto VVillo de Appledresfeld fac per summonitionem Scaccarii Regis de Judaismo pro debitis quibuscunque Regis vel aliquibus Judaeis Regis solvend ponat in respectum usque in tres Septimanas post Festum Purificationis beatae Mariae prox furtur Teste ut supra Rex Justiciariis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Volentes dilecto fideli nostro VV. de Appledres gratiam facere specialem Vobis mandamus quod demandam quam ei facitis per breve nostr Scaccarii nostri de Judaismo pro debitis quibuscunque nobis vel aliquibus Judaeis nostris solvendis ponatis in respectum usque in tres septimanas post festum Purif Beatae Mariae prox furtur Ita quod ex tunc de debitis illis respondeat prout de jure secundum legem Judaismi nostri fuerit faciend T. R. apud Bellum Locum Regis 25 die Ian. These Writs fully manifest the manner of proceedings and respects in cases of Debts and Obligations before the Justices appointed for the Custody of the Jews in the Kings Exchequer for the Jews In this 3 year of King Edward the 1. were the Statutes de Iudaismo made and enacted in Parliament by the King and Nobles as I have elsewhere
obedient to him as their Governor His Patent bearing date the 13 of Octob. This same year the Jews still persevering in their Trade of clipping and counterfeiting the Kings coin thereupon there issued out several Letters Patents and commissions to diverse Justices to make inquiry thereof and of all concealed goods and chattels of all the Jews forfeited to the King as this following commission of Association to pretermit all others will resolve us Rex dilecto â—sideli suo Hugoni de Cressingham salutem Qnia dilectus et fidelis noster Henricus le Waleys quem nuper cum dilectis et fidelibus nostris Solomone de Roff. Magistro Henrico de Bray assignavimus ad quasdem Inquisitiones faciendas de omnibus bonis catallis quorumcunque Judaeorum dampnatorum Nobis concelatis forisfactis etiam de Mercatoribus Judaeis invicem vendentibus ementibus seu cambientibus plateas argenteas falsas plateas de stagno alio metallo conflatas et exterius deargentatas de aliis circumstantiis negotium illud qualitercunque contingentibus prout in literis nostris Patentibus quos eisdem Solomoni Henrico Henrico inde fieri fecimus plenius continetur nobiscum in partibus transmarinis pro quibusdam negotiis nostris specialibus quibus ibidem intendit moram facit per quod idem Henricus le Waleys ad praemissa una cum prefatis Solomone Magistro Hen. facienda non potest intendere ad praesens vos loco ipsius H. le Waleyes ad praemissa una cum prefatis Magist Henrico ad praedictas Inquisitiones faciendas juxta tenorem literarum nostrarum patentium praedictarum Et ideo vobis mandamusquod ad praemissa facienda una cum praedictis Solomone Magistro Henrico intendatis in forma praedicta Mandamus enim eisdem Solomoni Magistro Henrico quod vos ad hoc in socium admittant sicut praedictum est In cujus rei c. Teste Ed. Comite Cornubii Consil Regis apud Westm. 26 die Jan. This year I find a strange case A Jew and his wife complained to the King that some had maliciously defamed the Wife in reporting that she had turned Christiand was baptized to their great prejudice and grievance when as it was a malitious scandal Whereupon they procured this Writ from the King to the Justices of the Jews to inquire the truth thereof by an Inquisition of Christians and Jews and to do them right if slandered Rex Justic suis ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Monstraverint nobis Mosseus de Hornden Suetecota uxor ejus Judaei Lond. quod cum ipsa Suetecota christiana non sit ne aliquo tempore fuâ—rat baptizata quidam Emuli eorum maliciose confingentes ipsam Suetecotam baptizatam fuisse inter duo bella de Lewes Evesham eam super hocdefamarunt in ipsorum Mossei Suetecotae dampnum non modicum gravamen Et ideo vobis mandamus quod inquisita inde plenius veritate per Christianos Judaeos sicut mos est Si inveneritis praedicta Suetecota non fuit baptizata sicut sibi imponitur tunc eisdem Mosseo Suetecotae juxta officii vestri debitum pacem habere inde faciatis T Com. If the Jews deem it so great a scandal and grievance to them for others to reporr them to have been Christians and baptized there is little hopes of their real general conversion to Christianity now The Jews were such absolute slaves and villains to our Kings that they sometimes granted them with all their goods and chattels to others by their Charters as they did their other villanies as this memorable Record of 17 E. 1. will inform us Rex dilecto fideli suo Rado de Berners Constabul Tur. London salutem Cum Dom. H. Rex pater noster per Cartam suam dedâ—rit concesserit Edmundo fratri nostro carissimo Aaron fil Vynes Judeo London una cum omnibus bonis et catallis suis er omnibus quae ad ipsum patrem nostrum ratione ipsius Judaei quocunque modo possint pertinere et nos postmodum eandem donationem et concessionem continuari volentes ipsam prefato fratri nostro confirmavimus per nostras literas Patentes ac idem Frater noster manuceperit habere coram nobis eâ—ndem Aaron ad voluntatem nostram adstandum recte super omnibus quae ipsum Aaron contingunt quandocunque nos vel alii versus ipsum in aliquo loqui voluerimus per quod eidem fratri nostro per manucaptionem suam 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 Convert Chapel and edifices thereof during his pleasure only Rex Iusticiariis omnibus aliis Ballivis et fidelus 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 convertendis ad sustentationem ipsorum et fabricam Capellae suae et aedificiorum suorum perficiendam omnia Deodanda quae Nobis ubicunque in Regâ—o nostro Angliae accidere et coram quibuscunque Iusticiariis seu Ministris nostris adjudicari contingent Habenda percipienda quamdiu Nobis placuerit 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
Anno c. secundo Eodem modo scribitur Vicecomiti Wigorn. Vicecom Civibus Eborum Vicecomiti Constabulario Lincoln de Stanford Constabulario Bristol pro Judaeis de Bristol Vicecom Constabul Gloucest pro Judaeis Gloucestriae Vicecom Constab Northamton Vicecom Suthampton civibus Winton pro Judaeis There being Jews then residing in all these places In the 2 year of King Henry the 3. I find this Kings Writ to several Sheriffs where the Jews resided to proclaim that all the Jews where ever they did walk or ride should on their upper Garments wear 2 white Tables on their breasts made of Linnen Cloath or parchment as well within the Town as without that so they might be known from Christians Rex Vicecomiti Wigorniae salutem Praecipimus tibi quod clamari observari facias per totam Ballivam tuam quod omnes Judaei deferunt in superiori indumento suo ubicunque ambulaverint aut equitaverint infra villam vel extra quasi duas Tabulas albas in Pectore factas de lineo panno vel de parcameno Ita quod per hujusmodi signum manifestè possint Iudaei à Christianis discerni Teste Comite to wit William Marshal Earl of Glocester the Kings Guardian and Protector apud Oxon. 30. die Martiii Item mandatum est Vicecomit Glocest VVarwick Lincoln Oxon Northampt. Majori Vicecomitibus London In the Fine Roll of 2 H. 3. there is a writ directed to the Barons of the Exchequer by the King reciting Constat Nobis per inspectionem rotulorum Iusticiariorum de Iudaismo c. that King Iohn his Father released Mirabilia the wife of Ely a Jew of all Debts due to him by her Husband Ita quod omnes Chartae quae fuerunt ipsius Eliae debita in eis contenta ipsi patri nostro remaneant that King Iohn upon Elye his death seized and granted all his houses except two which Mirabilia by agreement was to have paying a fine of 15 marks to his Father which was not yet paid which agreement he confirmed and thereupon orders the Sheriff to levy the said Fine and Debts T. Com apud Gloc. 3. die Ian. It appears by many Rolls of 2. and also of 3 4 5. H. 3. that King Iohn seized and gaâ—e away to otherâ— the Houses of divers Jews both in Glocester Oxon Northampton and that King Henry likewise disposed of them as escheated to him either by the Jews deaths or for some other causes Take these two presidents for all the rest * Rex Fulâ— de Breant salutem Mandamus vobis quod sine dilatione habere fac Pho Marc. domum quae fuit Isaac Iudaei de Eboraco in Northampton et domum quae fuit Isaac Judaei Oxon in Oxon quas Dom. Jo. pr. noster dedit Galf. Luterel cujus terrae et haeredis custodiam concessimus eidem Pho. T. Com. apud West 17 die Jan. per ipsum Com. coram Dom. Winton Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Oxon. pro eodem et Ballivis Iudaeorum Oxon. pro eodem Rex Vic. Glouc. salutem Constat nobis per inspectionem Rotulorum nostrorum quod Dom. J. Rex pater noster dedit Guiberto de Rue Domum quae fuit Elye Iudaei Gloc. c. cum quadam placita quae fuit Mossei Judaei cum pert suis Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod eidem Guiberto de praedict domo placia plenariam seisinam sine dilatione habere fac T. Dom Pet. Winton apud Novum Templum London 23. die Sept. per eundem In the 3d. year of King Henry the 3. some Jews coming into England from foreign parts with their goods to reside there the Wardens of the Ports of England seised upon the persons and estates of these unwelcom Guests which occasioned these new Writs to be sent unto them for their free admission into England without impediment or seizure upon such security and terms as are expressed in the Writs and prohibiting the transportation of any Jews or their Chattels out of this Land into foreign parts without the Kings special Letters and License being once within his power Rex Custodibus Portuum Angliae Praecipimus vobis quod Judaeos qui venturi sunt in terram nostram Angliae de transmarinis partibus ad morandum in terra nostra Angliae cum catallis suis liberè et sine impedimento in portu nostro â—â—cedere permittatis accepta ab eis sufficienti securitate secundum Legem Judaeorum per fidem eorundem quod quam citius poterint veniant ad Iusticiarios nostros ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatos ad inrotuland nomina eorum in rotulis nostris Et si aliquem Judaeum qui de partibus transmarinis venerit sicut praedictum est retinueritis ipsum et catalla sua sine dilatione deliberari faciatis Si quos autem inveneritis Iudaeos de terra nostra qui ad vos venerint ad transfretandum usque ad partes transmarinas sine literis nostris de licentia transfretandi ipsos cum catallis suis arrestari faciatis donec a Nobis vel a Iusticiariis nostris ad custodiam Indaeorum assignatis inde aliud mandatum habueritis T. Petro VVinton Episcopo apud VVestm 13 die Novemb. Anno Regni nostri tertio Divers Debtors of the Jews made a fine with king Iohn in the 10th year of his reign to be paid at certain terms of which payments they failing the Jews thereupon paying the fine had these debts assigned them by king Henry the 3. and a precept to extend all the lands they had in 10 of king Iohn prohibiting the taking of any use from them before the kings assignment but allowing use afterwards as this Record demonstrates Rex Vic. Lincoln et Eborum salutem Quia Gilb. de Bercumworth Norm de Arecy and 5 more there named non servaverunt terminos suos de fine quem fecerunt cum Dom. Rege patre nostro de debitis Iudaeorum Nos de consilio nostro die Sancti Martini An. reg nost 3. Liberavimus Helie de Linc. Iudaeo debita eorundem de quibus finem fecerunt per finem quem idem Helie nobis fecit Ita quod de eisdem debitis exigere possit totum catallum suum sine lucre quod sibi de cetero proveniet Et ideo praecipimus G. de Bercumworth quod sine dilatione reddat eidem Helie 316 l. 10 s. cum lucro quod sibi excreverit a praedicto die sancti Martini Item praecipimus Norm de Arecy quod sine dilatione reddat eidem Helie 23 l. 17 s. c. reciting the other 5 debts at large cum lucris quae de praedictis debitis excreverit a praedicto termino Et nisi fecerint tunc sine dilatione seisiatis ipsum H. and the rest de omnibus terris et redditibus quae fuerunt praedict debitorum in Balliva vestra An. regni Dom. I. regis patris nostri decimo quae scil terrae et
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 manere 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 villis Com. suorum clamari faciat quod nulla faemina Christiana de caetero serviat Iudaeis ad alendos puerulos 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 caâ—allis 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 convictus 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 per 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 quietus 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 fieri 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 Peâ—tiling 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 esse 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 Sacramentnm 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 redditibâ—s 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 Ursel Iudaeo Winton secundum valorem praedictar domorum et terrarum eâ— quantitatem praedictorum debitorâ—◠〈◊〉 quod iâ—tâ—rim cessent usurae which here one Jew took of another T. R. apud Winton 11 die Jun. Hen. the 3 in the 21 year of his reign granted the Presbytery 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 â—st Iusticiaâ— iis 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 not be Rotulos etiam qui fuerunt Jocâ—i Presbyteri praedecessoris sui â—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 Episâ—opacy or Priestly Aaronical Function but exercised over all the English Jews in their Synagogues as Sir Edward Coook Mâ— Selden Mr. Purâ—has 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 Predecestors before and successors after him enjoyned by like Charters from the K. A thing now clear to me upon consideration that the Jewish
Ursel fil Sampson Benedictus nepos Aaron Linc. Leo fil Solomon Abraham fil Solomon Judas de Franceys Joceus de Burge Abraham de Solitoster Duelcusce fil Elie. Cantuar. Salom. fil Joce Magist Aaron Benomy Copâ—ius fil Mulkane Messe fil Sampson Abraham fil Leonis Winton Elias fil Chere Deidegrand Lumbard senex Manasser fil Ursell Ayaye de Wallingford Kendone fil Ursell Stamford Jacob gener Eman Jacob fil Elye Meyer fil David Samuel fil Cok. Dusefaut fil Cok. Aaron gener Pictaum Norham Elias de Pontefracto Isaac Pickether Sampson fil Deulesara Samps fil Samps Deud fil Vines Pech fil Sam de Ivelcester Bedeford Manser fil Benedicti Abraham fil Benedicti Ursel fil Isaac Bovenfunt Cantebrig Isaac fil Samuel Jacob fil Deusestra Aaron fil Isaac Blund Josce de Wilton Dyaye fil Magistri Levi fil Solomon Norwic. Samuel fil Isaac Isaac de Warewic Aaron Henne Jurninus fil Jacobi Deulecrese fil Dyaya de Manecroft Dure de Resing Warewick Benedictus de Kanc. Elias fil Abrah Benedictus de Evesham Lion fil Duele Beuere Dungeun de Warwick Pettemo fil Mossi Wigorn. Hake Isaac senior Hake Mosse fil Deulo Heneye Abrah fil Abraham Isaac gener Samu Abraham fil Jude Bristol Lumbard Bonesi de Bristol Salom de Ivelcester Isaac fil Jacob Mile le Eveske Isaac de Bath Colecester Aaron de Colecester Arcel de Colecester Isaac fil Benedicti Jacob fil Vinis Notingham David Lumbard Dendone fil Deule Cresse Sampson Leve Benedictus Pinkennye Exon. Jacob de Exon Benefand fil Jude Joce fil Abraham Doule Cresse le Eveske Dorset Solomon de Dorcester Benedictus fil Vinam Wilts Solomon fil Iosse Isaac de Herleb Salom de Merleberg Abraham Battecoke Isaac fil Iesse Oxon. David de Linc. Bonami fil Copin Copin fil Bonefei Mosse fil Dyaye Vinis fil Copin Samuel fil le Franceys Glouc. Bonefaund fil Elye Garsie gener Belie Isaac fil Mosse de Paris Elias fil Bonefant Vines fil Bonenfâ—nd Elias fil Isaac One of the Jews here nominated for London excusing himself thereupon others were substituted in his place by these writs Rex Elie Blunde Judeo London salutem Scias quod lâ—co Benedicti Crespyni assignavimus te una cum Vicecom London et Jacobo Crespin Aaron fil Abraham Aaron Blunde Elia de Eveske et Leone Blunde Judeis London ad districtionem faciendam circa tallagium nostrum terminis statutis nobis plenarie reddendum Et ideo tibi praecipimus quod sicut teipsum et catalla tua diligis una cum ipsis viriliter te intromittas ad hoc quo praedict Tallagium terminis Statutis nobis plene reddatur sicut ipsis vic aliis Iudeis sociis tuis dediâ—us in mandatis Ne pro defectu tui paena omnibus tremenda tibi infligatur T. c. Et dirigunter Literae patentes praedictis 4 Judeis sub hac forma Rex Constabulario Turris London Crespin c. salutem Sciatis quod loco Benedicti Crespini quem prius assignavimus vobiscum ad districtionem faciendam circa Tallagium Judeorum London terminis Statutis nobis reddend assignavimus vobis Eliam Blundum Iudaeum London Et ideo vobis mandamus quod amoto praedict B. loco ipsius ipsum E. B. admittatis This insupportable great Tax being not levyed by the time prefixed thereupon the King issued these rigid Writs to apprehend all theâ—e Jewish Collectors Distrainers persons together with all their Wives Infants and bring them prisoners before the King and to seize all their goods and chattels into the Kings hands and keep them safe in their hands as these two records demonstrate Mandatum est W. de Havershall quod scire faciat omnibus Vic qui Iudeos habent in Balliva sua quod omnes Iudeos de balliva sua qui manucâ—perunt solvere nobis Tallagium suum una cum uxoribus et infantibus suis habeant Londini à die Sancti Mic. ad unum mensem ad respondendum nobis de arreragiis Tallagii sui et quare Tallagium illud non solverunt termines statutis sicut manuceperunt Et omnia catalla ipsorum capiant in manum Regis et salvo custodiant donec Rex inde preceperit T. R. apud Westm 26 die Sept. Another writ issued to imprison them and all those Iews who had not paid the Tax in the Tower of London Mandatum est W. de Havershal Thes Regis quod omnes illos Iudeos qui denarios Regi debent de Tallagio Iudaeorum de hoc termino Sancti Johannis Baptist prox praeterito et etiam illos qui deberent distrinxisse ipsos Iudeos ad terminum praedict observand venire faciat usque Turrim London et ibidem in prisona salvo custodiri donec Rex aliud inde praeciperet Teste Rege apud Theokesbury 1. die August Hereupon some Jewes assigned over Debts to the King in satisfaction of their Tallages whereupon the King pardoned and released so much as their Debts amounted to as appears by 3 pardons to 3 Jews in one Schedule claus 25 H. 3. m. 17. and purchased special Licenses to be exempted from these severe proceedings and distresses upon promise to pay their Taxes at the terms appointed upon which their arrears were released as this Roll informs us Dors 9. de respectu Iudaeorum c. Rex Baron de Scacc. salutem Mandamus vobis quod si Isaac fil Elye terminos suos observaverit de debito in quo nobis tenetur ad Scaccarium nostrum et quamdin dictos terminos observabit tunc omnia bona et catalla sua ei in pace demittatis nullam inde facientes districtionem Ita quod secundum quantitatem et valorem Catallorum suorum quae irrotulata sunt in rotulo quae Jere. de Caxton W. Hardell de Tallagio Iudaeorum Linc. Vobis liberaverunt Tallagium super ipsum assedi faciatis T. R. apud Theokesbury 8. die Aug. The Jews of London advancing part of this great Tax by assignment of Debts to the Kings Exchequer had this Writ to the Barons to allow it in their first payments Rex Baron suis de Scac. salutem Monstraverunt nobis Judaei nostri London quod quendam finem fecerunt nobis cum aliis Judaeis pro 20 millia marcas pro Tallagio nostro unde debent solvere 10 millia marcarum ad quindenam Nativ Sancti Iohis Baptist An. r. n. 25. et 10 millia marcarum ad sancti Michis Anno eodem concessimus eis quod id quod receptum est ad Scac. vel in traba per manus suas vel per manus Châ—istianorum pro tertia parte catalloram suorum eis facietis allocari in primo termino 10 mill marcarum Et ideo vobis mandamus quod si praedicti Judaei London plene nobis persolverint quod ad eos pertinet de primo termino praedictar 10 millia marc usque ad summam quam per manus suas vel Christianorum ad Scac. vel in Garderoba praedicta tertia parte nobis
pro debitis Ri. Rom. R. deliberet admandatum Justiciariorum vel alterius cujuscunque sine assensu et voluntate Cresse Abrah Judeorum attornat praedict R. Alemanniae T. R. apud Winds 17 die Jan. In Cl. 41. H. 3. m. 7. There is respite of a debt granted to Kok a Jew And Writs to the Justices of the Jewes for some Jews Quod non ponantur in Tallagio quamdiu terminos suos tenuerint of their annual compositions to be exempted from taxes with this prohibition to the Kings Justices itinerant not to hold Psea of any matter belonging to the Jews Quia Rex non vult quod Judei sui placitent vel implacitentur alibi quam coram Justic Regis ad custod Jud. assignatis Mandatum est Rogero de Thurks et sociis suis Justiciariis Itiner in Com. Linc. quod omnia placita tangentia Hagium Jud. Linc. coram eis ponant coram Justic praedict ut ipsi eidem Judeo et aliis de eo contingentibus Justiciam exhibeant secundum legem consuetudinem Judaismi T. R. apud Westm 7 die Ian. Per Phil. Lovel Simonem Passelewe Iustic Iudeorum who had power to grant prohibitions to the Iustices in such cases If the Iewes were sued before their Iustices and made default and could not be found to be distreined the Iustices thereupon used to seise their Charters and Debts in the Chests yea houses into the Kings hands as till they appeared as this record of 42 H. 3. attests Quia Rex accepit per inquisitionem quam per Rog. de Marcio Simon Passelewe Will. de Haslebech fieri fecit quod duae Cartae quae fuerunt Manuel fil Elie Iudei Linc. inventae in Archa Cyrograph regis Ebor. captae fuerunt in manum regis pro defalt is quas fecit vers Will. de Kined al. personam Ecclesiae de Martin Lingeslet in curia regis coram Iusticiariis nostr ad custod Iudeorum assign apud Westm eo quod non potuit alio modo distringi attachiari quod idem Iudeus propter timorem defaltarum illarum pro paupertate sua substraxit se a Villa Linc. non ob aliam causam Rex ad instantiam Alfonsi Reg. Castile Legionum illust remisit quantum ad Regem pertinet eidem Iudeo substractionem praedict ei praedict cartas reddidit ita quod in dicta villa Linc. vel alibi inter Iudeos regis libere in bona pace morari possit stare juri quando et ubi debuerit secundum legem consuetudinem Iudaismi regis Et mandat est Thesaur Baron Scac. Et Iustic quod sic fieri teneri dicto Iudeo praedict cartas suas restitui fac de domibus ad ipsum Iudeum spectantibus in praedict villa Linc. plaenam et celerâ—m Iusticiam exbibeant eidem secundum legem consuetud Judaismi praedict T. R. apud Merton 10 die Junii per Instic Mansell alios de concilio It appears by this and former Records that the Jews gold could procure Kings Queens and other Grandees to be their Intercessors upon all occasions It is plain by this Record that the Jews claimed an exemption from suits for their Tallages before the Barons of the Exchequer Rex de consilio suo provide concessit quod de 500 marc assesso super communitatem Judeorum Regi de tallagio suo arentata de termino St. Michis de an 44. de quibus Barones de Scac. summonitionem fieri â—ecerunt Vic. R. per Angliam ad respondeâ— â—nde coram praedict Baron ad praedict Scac. eidem Vic. respondeant ad Scac. R. Judeorum coram Hugone le Bygod Justic Angl. Justic R. ad custod Judeorum assignat Et mandat est praedict Baron quod sic fieri et teneri faciant T. R. apud Woodst 15 die August per ipsum regem et Consilium This year divers Jews being imprisoned the King and his Council gave order for their release till further provision made concerning them Quia Rex intendit ordinare de Judaismo suo per consilium suum die Dom. prox post fest S. Mar. Magdal Provisum est per consilium regis Et mandatum est Ballivo de Wallingford Constab Castri Winton Turris Lond. quod omnes prisones Judeos in custodia sua detentos deliberent quousque provisiopraedicta facta fuerit Et mandat est Hugoni de Cresse Jude is Lincoln quod nullam interim districtionem faciant super praedict Judeos sed deliberationem illam ipsam ipsi permittant Anno 43. H. 3. A Jews Wife being banished out of England the husband paid a fine in gold to have licence for her to return and dwell there Ex parte Judeae uxor Abrahae Russel quondam Judeus de Wilton factus est finis cum rege pro 20 ralent auri pro habenda licentia Regis revertendi in Angliam ibidem vivendi in pace in rot claus T. Rege After this the Iews giving the King 500 marks towards his passage into France there issued this Patent for the speedy and violent assessing and levying of it Rex Constab Turris London salutem Cum Iudei nostri Angliae dederunt nobis 500 marc sterling ad passagium nostrum in Franc. quod erit deo voleute 1 die Sept. instantis tibi precipimus in fide qua nobis tener firmiter injungimus quatenus sicut honorem nostrum diligis et indignationem et grave dampnum tuum volueris evitare statim visis literis absque omni dilatione facias assidi per Coc fil Aaron Man Blundum et Leon. Preciosae 100l super Commun Judaeorum London quae eis contingunt de praed 500 mar Quibus festinanter assessis statim distringas tres praedictos assessores quam omnes alios Judaeos praed villae per terras catalla et corpora eorum uxorum puerorum suorum et omnibus modis aliis quibus melius scieris et poteris ad reddendum hoc ad opus nostrum portionem quemlibet â—orum contingentem de praed 100 lib. Ita quod eas habeas plenarie penes te per praedict assessores Judeos apud Turrim London die decol Sancti Iohannis Baptist prox instanti et ita quod praedict passag nostrum ad praedict diem pro defectu praedict denariorium nullatenus impediatur Sciturus certissime quod nos in omnibus mandatum nostrum adimplendis tam graviter ad te capiemus quod plus ex hoc senties te gravatum quam si de tuo proprio solveres pecuniam memoratam Quia tuum gravamen dabit aliis timorem delinquendi Et habeas ibi tunc hoc breve T. R. Archidiac Bed Thes nostro apud Westm 6 die Augusti Mandat est Constabul Turris London and three more there named quod omnes Archas Iudaeorum in pred Turri existentes aperiri et omnia catalla et debita in eisdem inventa distrahi et aperte
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 demisit 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 Consuetudinem 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 turned Christian to make her forfeit this debt Et preceptum est Vicecomiti quod venire faciat praedictum Hugonem et Cyrographum Christianum Archae Cyrographorum Merlebrige et 6. Christianos de Merlebrig c. Et postea ipse Iospinus non est prosecutus Ideo omnia catalla dicti Iospini capiantur in manum Domini Regis prout ipse obligavit c. A just requital of his malice Praeceptum fuit Cyrograph Christianis et Iudaeis Archae Cyrogr. Norwic. quod ad Archam accedant c. and there take out 20 l Debt for Edward the Prince due unto him c. Praeceptum est Cyrograph Christian Judeis Archae Cyrogr. Norwic. quod ad Archam praedictam accedant and there take out all the Charters Pawns and Rolls belonging to Abraham a few of Norwich for the Kings use because he had not paid his Tallage of ten pounds to the King Rot. 10 11 and 12. of the Pleas of Hil. 52 H. 3. consist for the most part of Staâ—rs of the Jews some whereof are assignments of Debts and Sales of Annuities by Jews to Adam de Stratton Simon de Zouch and other Christians ratified by the Kings confirmation Others of them releases of Debts by way of Acquittance These Stars usually began thus Solomon de London Judaeus cegnovit per Starrum suum c. In the 53 year of King Henry the 3. a certain Jew abetted by the other Jews in high contempt of Christ crucified in the solemn Procession at Oxford on Ascention day threw down and brake in peeces the Crosse that was carried before the University in Procession and then fled Wherupon by the Kings special command all the in Oxford were apprehended and their goods secured till they out of their own goods and chattels erected a new standing beautifull high Crosse adorned with guilt Pictures of Christ and our Lady in the place where this wickednesse was perpetrated and made another rich portable silver guilded Crosse to be carried before the University of the Masters and Scholars of Oxford in their Processions which were to be made by a time prefixed for the publike manifestation of the honour of God in this behalf as these Records at large inform us though not mentioned by any of our Historians Rex Vic. Oxon. salutem Cum Judaei nostri Oxon. nobis adhuc
were committed this year to William Middleton as is evident by this Record Cum Rex commiserit Willielm de Middleton Rotulos brevia Iudaismi sui quae sunt in custodia Thesaur Baronum Scaccarii custodiend quamdiu Domino Regi placuerit Mandatum est eisdem Thesaurario et Baronibus quod eidem Will. Rotulos Brevia liberent sicut praedictum est The same year this King in the beginning of his reign caused his peace and protection to be publikely proclaimed as well to all the Jews as others within England and other his Dominions as this record recites for the Jews in Bruges in Flanders Rex Vicecomiti Mall salutem Cum nuper pacem nostram per totum Regnum nostrum publicè proclamaâ—i fecimus et eam omnibus et singulis de regno nostro tam Iudaeis quam Christianis observari praecepimus praecipimus quod Iudaei nostri de Bruges in Balliva tua manuteneas defendas ita quod eis pax nostra prout ejus per totum regnum nostrum proclamari fecimus inviolabiliter observetur Et non exigas vel exigi permittas ab eisdem redemptiones vel alias extorsiones ad opus nostrum vel alicujus alterius nisi quatenus ad debita nostra seu Domini Henrici Regis patris nostri seu Tallagia aut alia ad quae de jure tenentur ab eis levanda ade nostro aut ejusdem Domini Henr. patris nostri mandato Warrantum habueris Datum c. apud Westm 15 die Iunii Yet notwithstanding this protection and peace granted them by the King the very same year the King grants out this Writ to search all their Chests to enroll and certifie him of all their debts and estates that he might tax them all proportionably at his pleasure as he did soon after Rex dilecto fideli suo Thomae de Espernon salutem Quia de debitis in Archa Cirogtafforum Winton Oxon. Marleberg Wilton contentis volumus certiorari vobis mandamus quod ad certum diem quem ad hoâ— provideritis ad Archas praedictas accedatis easdem per visum Cirograf Archarum praedictarum tam Christianorum quam Judaeorum aperiatis et omnia debita in eisdem contenta diligenter scrutari et inrotulari faciatis Mandamus enim Cirograffariis nostris Archarum praedictar quod ad certum diem quem eis scire faciatis ad hoc faciendum vobis assistant et intendant In cujus c. Dat c. apud Westm 20 die Feb. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Hamoni Hatayn de debitis in Archa Cirograf Northampt. Nottingh Ebor. Lincol. Stainf conrents Item Consimiles Literae diriguntur Ade de Winton de debitis in Arca Cirograf Judaeorum Bristoll Oxon Gloucest Wigorn. Hereford et Warw. contentis Item consimiles Literae diriguntur Roberto de Ludham super hujusmodi debitis contentis in Archis Cirograff Judaeorum Bedef Cantebr Colecester et Sudbury In all which Cities and Towns the Jews then inhabited and had common chests wherein their Debts and Morgages were reserved Also according to the former Custome of the Jews in England not to remove into any town where they did not anciently inhabit he sent this Writ to the Barons and Bailiffs of Winchelse to remove some Jews thence who had taken up their habitation there without his special license Rex Baronibus Ballivis suis de Winchelse salutem Quia secundum consuetudinem Iudaismi nostri Angliae in aliis Civitatibus Burgis aut Villis habitare vel morari non debent quam in illis in quibus antiquitus habitare consueverunt morari quidem Iudaei ut intelleximus villam nostram de Winchelse sunt ingressi eam inhabitent in quam nullus Iudaeus aliquibus retroactis temporibus habitare consuevit vel morari Vobis mandamus quod si verum est tunc Iudaeos ab eadem villa absque damno de corporibus seu rebus suis eis faciend sine damno faciatis amoveri Dat. apud Westm 18 die Iunii This King that he might not seem altogether unjust granted forth a Writ to the Sheriff of Oxford in behalf of one Lumbard a Jew of Oxford taken and imprisoned for a fine of fifty marks imposed on one Lumbard a Jew of Bristol for a Trespasse against the Kings Exchange ordering him to be bailed and the mistake examined Rex Vicecom Oxon. salutem Ostensum est nobis ex parte Lumbardi de Krikelad Judaei nostri Oxoniae quod quum quidam Lumbardns Judaeus Bristol amerciatus esset coram Justiciariis Domini Henr. Regis patris nostri ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis ad quinquaginta marcas pro transgressione excambii ejusdem patris nostri et ipse Lumbardus Judaeus Oxon. de eadem transgressione nunquam calumpniatus nec de praedicta pecunia oneratus extiterit tu easdem 50 marcas ab eodem Lumb de Oxon. Judaeo exigis et omnia bona sua in Balliva tua ea occasione cepisti in manum nostram et insuper ipsum cepisti et in prisona nostra Oxoniae detines Et quia non est juri consonum nec est voluntaris nostrae quod ipse Lumbardus de Oxonia sit in poena pro debitis alterius unde ipse Lumbardus de Oxonia penitus est immunis ut dicitur Tibi praecipimus quod si ipse Lumbardus de Oxonia invenerit tibi sufficientem manucaptionem perconsuetudinem Judaismi nostri de veniendo coram Justiciariis nostris ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis a die Pascha in 15 dies ad satisfaciendum nobis de praedictis 50 marcis nisi ibidem rationabiliter ostenderit quod non ipse sed alii de dicta pecunia debent onerari tunc ipsum Lumbardum per eandem manucaptionem a prisona qua detinetur deliberari facias omnia bona sua ea occasione capta in manum nostram interim sine distractione sine dampno dicti Judaei reservari facias Et habeas ibi nomina manucaptorum suorum hoc breve Datum c. apud Sanctum Paulum London 4 die Aprilis Dat 20 s. pro hoc Breve habendo No sooner had he provided the foresaid Justices and Guardians for the Jews but he presently imposed new heavy annual Taxes and Tallages on them appointing special Collectors to levy them and their arrerages upon all their goods chattels debts and to banish and abjure the Realm all such Jews together with their wives and children as were rebellious and refused to pay them as these ensuing Patents of his in the 2 year of his reign demonstrate Rex dilectis sidelibus suis Fratri Stephano de Foleburn Ade de Stratten Willielmo de Middleton salutem Sciatis quod assignavimus vos ad omnia arreragia Tallagii super Judaeos nostros Angliae ultimo assessi ad opus nostrum levanda prout citius commodius videritis expedire Dante 's vobis potestatem Arreragia illa de
qui aliquando ad fidem Catholicam conversi baptisati fuerunt et postmodum ad Iudaicam pravitatem perversi ab eadem fide Apostatare praesumpâ—erint Volumus etiam quod Mulieres Iudeae de caetero portant signa in superiori veste sicut Iudaei Mares Et quod Iudâ—i de caetero nullos habeant servientes Christianos mares aut foeminas secum in quibuscunque obsequiâ—s commorantes nec in domibus propriis nec aliis in Civitatibus aut locis allis ubi morantur set ipsi Iudaei sibi invicem in omnibus sibi serviant et ministrent Et hoc ubique precipiatur tam Christianis quam Iudaeis sub gravi forisfactura nostra Volumus etiam quod omnes Christiani qui pignora sua inter bona Iudaeorum dampnatorum inventa redimere voluerint hujusmode pignora per testes fideles et bone famae probent esse sua et ea per certa signa et indicia describant hujusmodi Testibus eatenus credatur quatenus ipsis majoris vel minoris famae esse constiterit Et si fortè pignora illa sua esse per testes probare non possint eo quod testes defuncti vel absentes sunt ita quod eos habere non possint vel quia secrete et absque testimonio impignorata fuerunt tunc ad pignora illa recuperanda sufficiat tantummodo Sacramentum ipsorum quorum illa existunt dum tamen pignora illa certis signis et indiciis describant sicut praedictum est Et hoc propter lapsum anni a tempore impignorationis hujusmodi nullatenus omiâ—tatur Volumus insuper quod omnes illi qui per Testes fide dignos probare possint debita sua pro snis pignoribus persolvisse et pignora illa propter certam aliquam rationem per ipsos coram vobis ostendam aut propter maliciam ipsorum Iudaeorum ab eisdem Iudaeis non recipisse ad iteratam solutionem debitorum illorum faciendam nullatenus compellantur testibus illis credatur juxta famam personarum additis testibus aliis si necesse fuerit juxta discretionem vestram De libris autem apud Oxon impignoratis volumus quod nullum fiat judicium usque ad Festum omnium sanctorum prox futurum Volumus etiam quod per Civitates Burgos Villas mercatorias et alias publice proclametur ne quis bona Iudaeorum dampnatoruÌ„ seu damâ—nandoruÌ„ recipiat seu jam recepta celet vel occultet sedea Nobis restituet citra Fest beati Petri ad vincula prox futur Alioquin Nos versus ipsos tanquam ad caelatores et occultatores Thesauri regni graviter capiemus Et ideo vobis mandamus quod omnia praedicta fieri et firmiter observari faciatis in forma praedicta T. Rege apud Westmon x. die Maii. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Barth de Sutlegh Will de beof Ade de Boteler Ioh de Fauconer Consimiles Literae Breve diriguntur Ioh. Beks Alex de Kirketon Ranulpho de Dacre Hugoni de Kendale In this 7th year of King Edw. the 1. as our Historians elsewhere cited record there was a Parliament held at London principally to inquire after the great clipping and falsifying of the Kings coin and prevent it for the future during this Parliament most of the Jews throughout England were apprehended and hundreds of them by several Inquests found guilty before the Justices mentioned in these VVrits specially appointed for that end for clipping counterfeiting and corrupting the Kings money whereof 294 Jews in London alone were convicted and soon after executed and multitudes more of them in other places throughout the Realm which occasioned these VVrits and Proclamations made most probably by advice of the Parliament and approved by it to be issued forth and put in execution for the just punishment of the blasphemous Jewish Malefactors and better discovery of their concealed confiscated estates for the Kings greater advantage and likewise for relief of such subâ—ects who had any pawns or goods in the then condemned Iews possession As those Iews who were legally convicted for clipping and corrupting the Kings coyne were executed for it in all places so many more of them were accused imprisoned for the same crime much oppressed maligned generally by the people and inforced to make fines and ransomes to the King and the houses and estates of those who were executed sold strickt inquiry made after all concealments of their estates as the last these ensuing Records will at large inform us far better than any of our Historians I shall begin with that which is most large Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Stephano de Pentecester Waltero de Helynn et Ioh. de Cobham Justiciariis ad placita Transgressionis Monerae audienda salutem Quia omnes Judaei nuper rectati et per certam suspicionem indictate de retonsura monetae nostrae inde convicti cum ultimo supplicio puniuntur quidam eorum eadem occasione omnia bona et catalla sua satisfecerunt et in prisona nostra liberantur in eadem ad voluntatem nostram detinendi Et cum accepimus quod plures Christiani ob odium Judaeor propter discrepantiam fidei christianae et ritus Judaeorum et diversa gravamina per ipsos Judaeos christianis hactenus illata quosdam Judaeos nondum rectatos in indictatos de transgressione monetae per leves et voluntarias accusationes accusare et indictare de die in diem nituntur et proponunt impouentes eis ad terrorem ipsorum quod de hujusmodi transgressione culpabiles existunt super ipsos Judaeos faciendae et sic per minas hujusmodi accusationis ipsis Iudaeos metu incutiant et pecuniam extorqueant ab eisdem Ita quod ipsi Judaei super hoc ad legem suam saepe ponuntur in vitae suae periculum manifestum Volumus quod omnes Iudaei qui ante primum diem Maii proxim praeterir indictati vel per certam suspicionem rectati non fuerunt de transgressione Monetae predictae et qui facere voluerint finem juxta discretionem vestram ad opus nostrum facere pro sic quod non occasionentur de hujusmodi transgressionibus factis ante primum diem Maii propter novas accusationes christianorum post eundem diem inde factas non molestentur sed pacem inde habeant in futurum Proviso quod Iudaei indictati vel per certam suspicionem rectati de hujusmodi transgressione ante praedictum diem Maii judicium subeant coram vobis juxta formam prius inde ordinatam provisam Et ideo vobis mandamus quod fines hujusmodi capiatis et praemissa fieri et observari faciatis in forma praedicta Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 8 die Maii. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Barthol de Sulley et Sociis suis justiciar ut supra T. Rege ut supra Consimiles Literae diriguntur Iohan. Beks et sociis suis Iusticiariis ut supra T. Rege
Capellae suae quam Dom. H. quondam Pater noster Rex Angliae fundavit ibidem perficiend et in subventionem reparationis et sustentationis edificiorum loci illius Vobis mandamus quod praedictam Elemosinam nostram de Itinere vestro in Com praedict et in caeteris Comitatibus in quibus itineraturi est is habere faciatis dilecto Clerico nostro Joh de Sancto Dionisio custodi Domus praedictae ad fabricam et sustentationem ad reparationem praedict inde faciend T. R. apud Westm 13 die Novembris Confimiles Literae diriguntur Justiciariis proximo Itineraturis in Com. Devon pro conversis praedictis T. ut supra King Edward in the 10th year of his reign safely to protect the persons and goods of the Jews in Hereford from the violence of the people there committed the protection of them to 24 of the chief Burgesses of Hereford as he did the Jews in other Towns throughout England and proclaimed that none should damnifie or molest them in their persons or goods under pain of losing his goods as this Patent manifests Rex dilectis sibi Waltero de la Barre Hugoni de Clere Reginaldo Comwood Thomae de Anesye and to 20 more particularly named in the Patent Burgensibus suis Hereford salutem Cum susceperimus in protectionem et defensionem nostram Judaeos nostros Hereford res omnes possessiones suas ad tuitionem majorem securitatem ipsorum vos assignavimus ad custodiam eorundem Vobis mandamus quod per totam villam praedictam publice proclamari firmiter inhiberi faciatis ex parte nostra Ne quis sub periculo omissionis bonorum suorum praedictis Judaeis in personis aut rebus suis inferat dampnum molestiam seu gravamen Et vos ipsi Judaeos illos res et possessiones suas infra villam praedictam et extra quantum in vobis est manuteneatis protegatis et defendatis In cujus c. quamdiu Regi placuerit durat Teste Rege apud Devises 10 die Aprilis It appears the Jews were then very odious and grievous to the English that they needed so many Gardians to protect their persons and estates from their plunder and violence Soon after this some Jews of Hereford being there imprisoned for Trespasses done to some English there the King sent this Writ to the Sheriff of the County to release them upon their putting in of Bail to answer it and to restore their goods if seased Rex Vic. Hereford salutem Quia Mosseus le Blund Iosseus filius Manasses Judaei Hereford Mosseus fil Jacobi Judaeus London manuceperunt habere apud Westm coram Justiciariis nostris ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis Aaron le Blund Mirabiliam uxorem ejus Fautinum filium praedicti Aaron Bonam uxorem ejus Cresseum filium Jacobi Floriam uxorem ejus a die sancti Iohis Baptistae in tres Septimanas ad standum recto super quibuâ—dam transgressionibus quas dicti Judaei fecisse dicuntur Ade de Peyntur Margeriae filiae ejusdem Ade si ipse vel eadem Margeria versus eos loqui voluerit tunc praedictos Aaron Mirabilem Fautinum Bonam et Cresscum Floriam et eorum familiam si ea occasione et non alia in prisona nostra detineantur dictis manucaptoribus interim tradas in Ballium â—t catalla praedict Judeorum si quae occasione praedicta ceperis in manum nostram eis interim restituas per manucaptionem praedictam de corporibus eorum Judaeorum seu de familia aut catallis eorundem occasione rransgressionis illorum te non intromittas donec aliud inde preciperimus habeas ibi hoc Breve T. Rege apud Salop 2 die Junii The Jews most likely to avoid the rage and plunders of the English Christians having left the wearing of their Tables on their upper garments formerly prescribed by sundry forecited Writs and Ordinances and the Statute de Iudaismo to distinguish them from Christians were now by this new Proclamation from the King sent to the Justices strictly enjoyned to wear them as well women as men and likewise prohibited to sell any flesh to Christians by any means or to retain any Christian man or woman in their houses or elsewhere in their service under great penalties Rex Justiciariis suis ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Cum nuper preciperimus publice proclamari fecerimus Quod omnes Judaei regni nostri Tabulas deferant in indumentis suis exterioribus ut a cultoribus Catholicae fidei evidentius decernentur Volentes hoc idem de Judeabus ejusdem regni generaliter firmiter observari Vobis mandamus quod tam in Civitate nostra Londen quam in aliis Civitatibus Burgis villis alibi infra Regnum praedictum ubi Judaei conversantur publice proclamari faciatis sub gravi forisfactura nostra Ut omnes singulae Judeae ejusdem Tabulas hujusmodi publice deferant in forma quae provisa est de Judeis praedictis Facias insuper inhiberi publice proclamari per totum regnum praedictum Ne aliquis Judaeus quascunque carnes quoquo modo presumat vendere Christianis Nâ—c Christianum secum in hospitio suo seu alibi in servicio suo audeat decaetero retinere Teste Rege apud Westm 1 die Decembris In the 11 year of King Edward the 1 Upon complaint of the Jews clipping and falsifying his coyn and other Merchants trading with them therein the King issued forth this following Commission to inquire thereof the hanging and punishing of so many of them but three or four years before for the like offences not reclaiming the Survivers of them from this their usual Jewish practise Rex dilecto fideli suo Hamoni Hauteyn et aliis salutem Quia ex relatu fide dignorum nostrorum intelleximus quod quidam Judaei nostri mercantur cum quibusdam Mercatoribus extraneis aliis in Platis de Retonsura Monetae nostrae fundatis etiam falsis platis de Stagno exterius deargentatis Vobis mandamus quod diligenter super hoc faciatis inquisitionem quotiescunque videritis expedire Et si vobis constare poterit ita esse tunc Mercatores illos alios quoscunque hujusmodi plaâ—as mercantes vel a Judaeis nostris emendas petentes arrestari salvo custodiri faciatis donec super hoc aliud duxererimus ordinandum Et Judaeos illos a quibus hujusmodi platas petierint emendas dummodo hujusmodi venditioni seu emptioni non fuerint consentientes per talem munucaptionem qualem videritis optimam ponatis in cujus c. Teste Rege apud Rothele 6 â—ie Febr. In the 12 year of King Edward the 1. I find these 4. several Writs and Records conceruing the Jews in one Schedule The first prohibiting them to live or reside in any City Burrough or Town where they had no common Chest and commanding their Justices to
remove them thence The second commanding the Collector of the condemned Jews goods and estates and his Clerks to give an Account thereof and of the summe they amounted unto The 3d commanding the Sheriffs in all Counties where they resided with two discreet and legal Knights of the County to seal up and secure all their Chests and Charters in them till farther order The 4th commanding the Justices assigned for the Custody of the Jews to certifie the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer the state of all the Jews Debts and to distinguish which were clear debts and which not that so they might be there recovered for the Kings use I shall recite them in order as they are recorded the Writs bearing date the 11th year before Edwardus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae Justiciariis suis ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Quia secundum consuetudinem Judaismi nostri Iudaei nostri in aliis Civitatibus Burgis aut Villis habitare aut morari non debent quam in illis quibus Archa Chirographar Iudaeorum existat et diversi Iudaei diversas villas in Regno nostro sunt ingressi eas inhabitant in quibus hujusmodi Archa non existat per quod eosdem Iudaeos ab hujusmodi villis volumus amoveri Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quod universos singulos Iudaeos in Civitatibus Burgis et Villis in quibus dicta Archa non existit habitantes seu morantes absque damno eis de corporibus seu de rebus suis faciendo sine dilatione faciatis amoveri ab eisdem Ita quod ipsi Judaei ab eisdem villis modis omnibus amoveantur ante quindenam Pasche prox futuram Non permittentes ipsos in hujusmodi villis habitare decetero vel morari Et ita vos habeatis in hoc mandato nostro exequendo quod non oporteat Nos vobis iterata mandata nostra diâ—igere ex hac causa T. Rege apud Newark 28 die Jan. Anno Regni nostri 11. Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae c. Dilecto et fideli suo waltero de Warham nuper receptori bonorum catallorum quorundam Judaeorum dampnatorum salutem Quia quibusdam de causis super summa exituum bonorum et catallorum praedict volumus certiorari Vobis mandamas quod die Pasche proximo futuro in quinque Septimanas sitis coram Thesaur Baronibus nostris de Scaccario una cum clericis et rotulis vestris de bonis et catallis illis ut iidem Clerici compotum reddant tunc ibidem de exitibus praedictis et ulterius faciant ea quae compotum et negotium illud conâ—ingunt T. R. ut supra Eodem modo mandatum est Ioh. Beks Ade Kirketon and 7. others more there named Rex Vic Midd. salutem Praecipimus tibi quod assumptis tecum duobus de discretionibus et legalioribus Militibus ejusdem Comitatus in propria scil persona tua accedas ad universas singulas Archas Cyrograf Judaeorum in Balliva tua existentes et eas sigillis eorundem Militum et sigillo tuo consignari facias Ita quod Archae illic sic consignatae cum Rotulis in locis quibus nunc existunt sub tua costodia remaneant donec aliud inde praeceperimus et hoc nullo modo omittas T. ut supra Eodem modo mandatur Vic. Linc. Cant. Hunt Kanc. Warw. Leicest Norff. Suff. Wigorn Northampt. Surrey Sussex Colcest Oxon Berks Hereford Essex Hertford Glocest Darby Bedeford Notingh Devon Cornub. Wilts Suthampt. Exon Devises Ebor. Rex Justiciariis suis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Quia volumus quod Thesaur Barones nostri de Scaccario super omnibus debitis quae nobis debontur ad Scaccarium Judaismi nostri ex quacunque causa per vos ad plenum certificentur Vobis mandamus quod ad certum diem quem praedict Thesaur Barones vobis scire facient coram ipsis in Scaccario praedicto cum rotulis vestris veniatis ad certificandum ipsis super debitis praedictis quae videlicet sunt clara et quae non clara ut ex tunc debita illa levantur secundum consuetudinem Scaccarii praedicti et hoc nullatenus omittatis T. ut supra Moreover In the Patent Rolls of this 12 year the King granted this ensuing Commission to enquire of all the concealed goods and chattels of those formerly condemned and of their clipping falsifying counterfeiting money and trading with others in such deceitfnl coyn Rex dilectis fidelibus suis Solomoni de Roff. Magist Hen de Bray et Hen de Waleyes salutem Sciatis quod assignavimus vos ad inquirendum per Sacramentum tam Christianorum quam Judaeorum per quos c. de omnibus bonis et catallis quorumcunque Indaeorum dampnatorum nobis concelatis et modo et ad quorum manus hujusmodi bona deveneâ—int Et etiam de Mercatoribus et Iudaeis invicem vendemibus et ementibus seu cambientibus platas argenteas et falsas platas de stagno et alia metallo conflatas et exterius deargentatas et de omnibus aliis circumstantiis negotium illud qualitercunque contingentibus prout magis videritis expedire aâ— plenam et celerem Justitiam inde faciendam Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ad certos dies et loca quos ad hoc provideritis praemissa faciatis in forma praedicta Mandamus enim Majori Vicecoâ— nostris London quod ad certos dies et loca quos eis scire faciatis venire faciant coram vobis tam Christianos quam Judaeos per quos rei veritas in praemissis melius sciri poterit et inquiri In cujus c. T. Rege apud Cestr 15 die Septemb. This Inquisition as was usual in the case of Jews was to be made as well by Jews and Christians and so were their trials ordinarily per Medietatem linguarum as in the case of other Foreigners for the greater indifferency and prevention of Injustice through malice or emulation In 14 E. 1. I find a Commission issued out for opening and searching the Chests of the Jews and inrolling and certifying their Debts agreeable with those already cited And likewise a Writ to the Treasurer and Barons of the Kings Exchequer to discharge John de Sto. Dionisio Custos Domus Conversorum Regis London from giving any Account of his Office and Receipts before them Quia compotus hujusmodi nunquam in Scaccario hactenus à Predecessoribus suis custodibus Domus praedictae fieri consuevit T. Rege apud Westm 24 die Feb. This Iohn of St. Denys Custos Domus conversorum dying in the 16 year of Edw. 1. the King thereupon granted the Custos Office of this house to Robert de Scardeburgh Clerk Quamdiu Nobis placuerit and commanded that he should be permitted to dwell in this house and that all the Converts therein should be intendent and
se voluerint sibi et suis salvum conductum cum ab eo fueritis requisiti suis sumptibus habere faciatis ne eis super bonis quae secum deferre contingerit periculum emineat pro defectu conductus hujusmodi faciendi T. Rege apud Lang. 26 die Julii Et sunt Patentes By this Patent it appears First that the Jewes had a certain day prefixed them by the King to depart out of the Realm of England into Foreign parts of which they all had general and particular notice 2ly That the wealthier Jews thereupon to preserve their own persons wives children families from corporal violence and their goods from plunder purchased particular Letters of Protection and safeconduct from the King to Mayors and other Officers 3ly That the King published a general Proclamation upon the Edict of their banishment that all the pawns of Christians to them should be redeemed and discharged before their departure or left behind them when they departed hence The next day after this private Letter of Protection and Safeconduct on the 27 of July the King sent these Letters to the Bailiffs Barons and Seamen of the Cinque ports for the Jews safe conduct passage and transportation out of England within the term which he had prefixed to all and every of them being general for all the Jews Rex omnibus Ballivis Baronibus et Nautis Quinque portuum suorum salutem Cum certum terminum omnibus et singulis Iudaeis Regni nostri praefixerimus idem Regnum exeundi Nolentes quod ipsi in rebus seu personis interim aliqualiter injurientur Vobis mandamus quod eisdem Iudaeis cum ipsos ad Portus praedictos cum uxoribus pueris Catallis suis venire contingerit ad transfretand INTRA TERMINUM PRAEDICTUM salvum festinum pâ—ssagâ—um securum conductum habere faciatis sumptibus corundem Ita tamen quod Pauperibus Judaies super freto Navium in transportatione parcatur et aâ—â—is juxta facultates inde fiat exactio moderata prout in hujusmodi passagiis alias fieri consuevit ne quis ipsorum per exactiones immoderatas et irrationabiles super passagio suo impediatur Et sub gravi forisfactura nostra firmâ—ter vobis injungimus ne quis vestrum Iudaeis praedictis in rebus aut pe sonis inferat vel quantum in ipso est inferri permittat injuriam molestiam dampnum impedimentum seu gravamen In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Westm xxvii die Julii Besides these general he granted other particular Letters of safe conduct to the Bailiffs Barons and Seamen of the Cinque Ports for some privat Jews their wives children and families who desired them as appears by this Record Rex omnibus Ballivis Baronibus Nautis Quinque Portuum salutem Cum certum terminum omnibus et singulis Iudaeis Regni nostri praefixerimus idem Regnum exeundi Nolentes quod ipsi in rebus seu personis interim aliqualiter injuriatur Et vobis mandamus quod Mosseo filio Jacobi de Oxon Iudaeo nostro Northampt. cum ipsum ad portus praedictos cum uxore pueris familia et catallis suis venire contigerit Ad Transfretandum intra terminum praedictum salvum et festinum passagium et securuÌ„ conductum habere faciatis sumptibus ejusdem Ita quod ei juxta facultates inde fiat exactio moderata prout in hujusmodi passagiis alias fieri consuevit ne ipse per exactiones immoderatas et irrationabiles which the Jews all feared from the English upon this extraordinary occasion of their peremptory Exile super passagio fuo impediatur â—â—t sub gravi forisfactura nostra firmiter vobis inâ—ungimus ne quis vestrum praedicto Mosseo uxori pueris aut familiis suis praedictis in rebus aut personis inferat vel quatemus in ipso est inferri permittat in uriam molestiam dampnum impedimentum seu gravamen In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Selveston 8 die Aug. It is observable that in all these Writs and Letters the King relates that he had prefixed a certain day time or term to all and every the Jews of the Realm to depart out of the same Realm but mentions not in any of them the precise day time or term at all Therfore it is most certain it was mentioned in some other publike Act and Edict for their Banishment made in Parliament which all our Historians remember then publickly known to all the Jews Sheriffs Officers and people for how else should they certainly know or take notice of it if it were not then as notorious as these Writs and Letters which do not particularly expresse it Matthew Westminster in or near this time precisely writes That the Jews were all to depart out of England with their wives and children by the Feast of All Saints QUOD EIS PRO TERMINO PONEBATUR quem sub poenae suspendii transgredi non est causa This therefore was the term prefixed to them in the Parliamentary Act Decree for their Banishment by that day under pain of being hanged if they departed not England before that term The Liber Rubeus or Red Book in the Remembrancers Office in the Eschequer fol. 252. b. hath this Memorand entred in it touching the time the Jews actually departed from London and England De Iudaeis recedentibus ab Anglia Memorandum quod die Martis in crastino Sancti Dionisii Anno Regni Regis Edwardi silii Henrici decimo octavo et Anno Domini Millesimo ducentessimo nonagessimo recesserunt omnes Judaei de London versus Mare ad transfretandum sub protectione Domini Regis And the same Memorandum in effect is written in a hand of that time at the end of the Original Manuscript Copy of Florentius Wigorniensis Now Saint Dionisius day being the 9th of October this their departure from London must necessarily be on the 10. day of Octob. being the next day after it An. 1290. just 21 days before the feast of All Saints by which day they were all to depart out of England under pain of death and accordingly departed as I have elsewhere manifested except some few poor converted Jews who remained like Almesmen in the House of the Converts and were not banished with the rest whose Infidelity was the chief cause of their exile as our Historians attest The King on the 27 day of October but 17 days after the Jews final departure from London out of England committed the custody of this Domus Conversorum and the Converts in London to Walter de Agmodisham during pleasure by this his Patent Rex omnibus ad quos c. salutem Sciatis quod commissimus Waltero de Agmodisham custodiam Domus nostrae Conversorum London conversorum nostrorum therefore not banished with the rest habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit cum omnibus ad custodiam illam pertinentibus sicut Johis de Sancto Dionis quondam Archidiac Roff. eam dum vixit
but commonly 8000. 10000. marks or pounds by the year levyed with the greatest rigour which some of the richest Jews in all places were commonly engaged to see punctually paid in at the terms appointed and when any of them opposed or neglected to pay or levy them their persons wives children families infants were all distrained imprisoned their estates Debts seised confiscated some of them sent Prisoners into Ireland and frequently menaced with perpetual banishment hence and losse of their estates their taxes being levyed by the strictest menacing warrants and all rigorous violent ways the King and his instruments could possibly invent And are not their Taxes in case they will now return again like to be more high frequent oppressive since the very English themselves after all their late contests wars consultations and prodigal expences of their blood treasures estates are now brought under heavy uncessant monthly arbitrary Taxes Excises Imposts decimations levyed with the greatest rigour and such as dare oppose them out of conscience or defence of publike liberty though in a legal way imprisoned close imprisoned ruined yea threatned with perpetual banishment even by such who pretend themselves the Patrons Protectors of the English liberties franchises Properties from such Aegyptian and Jewish Bondage and greatest Antagonists against such arbitrary exorbitant Tyranny 4. That besides these constant annual Taxes our Kings upon all occasions enforced them by way of Loans to lend what sums they demanded under pain of imprisonment confiscation of their estates seisure of all their Debts Pawns Chests And frequently seised searched released granted sold all their gold silver chests debts houses fees annuities pawns and imprisoned their persons wives children to extort and raise monies upon all extraordinary necessities 5. That when they had fleeced them to their very skins and could expect no more moneys from them then they morgaged and sold their persons estates and the revenues proceeding from them unto others to advance present moneys before hand like so many Slaves and Villains And though many of them notwithstanding all their endlesse Taxes Extortions Squeezings fleecings grew rich again in a short time through usury broccage clipping and falsifying coyn plate frauds and extortions of all kinds and their base parsimony industry frugality yet their wives children heirs friends enjoyed little or no benefit at all by it but the King and his Officers commonly fleeced them of al they gained by one device or other So that England was little better than a second Aegypt and our Kings and their griping Officers nothing else but so many new Pharoahs and Aegyptian Tax-masters to them during all their continuance here they having no assurance of lives liberties estates under them by any Charters Grants protection Engagements which they made no conscience to revoke and violate at their pleasures as some of late have done even to their own Christian Brethren in as high a degree as they did to the Jews 6. That they were so exceeding execrable and detestable to the people in all places where they resided both for their infidelity blasphemies apostacies enmity to Christ and Christianity circumcising and crucifying Christian Children clipping of coin falsifying of Charters extortion brokage usury frauds unconscionable Jewish cut-throat dealing and discrepancy of maners from the English that many places and ports opposed their coming over other Towns as Newcastle Winchelse Wycombe Newbury Berkhamsted Suthampton other places purchased exemptions or removals of them And those Towns where they resided frequently rose up in a tumultuous maner against them burning their houses beating abusing kiling their persons pillaging their goods and forcing them to fly to the Kings Castles for Sanctuary notwithstanding all the Kings Charters Proclamations Provisions of all sorts for their protection and defence against violence and committing them to the protection of the Sheriffs Maiors Chief Officers and Burgesses of the places where they resided But especially they were above measure assaulted beaten slaughtered pillaged by the Cruce-signati and Saint-like Souldiers of that age who listed crossed themselves for the Holy-Wars and by the Barons Souldiers who took up arms against their Soveraigns under pretext only of defending the Great Charters Laws Liberties of the Church and Realm of England usually stiling themselves exercitus Dei et sanctae Ecclesiae in Anglia Neither were they free from violence plunder nor the common people satisfied till their universal final banishment hence which they oft sollicited their implacable enmity against them being such that the symptoms thereof yet continue amongst us in our proverbiall speeches I hate thee as I do a Jew I would not have done so to a Jew None but a Jew would have done so and the like 7. That notwithstanding all the Injuries Oppressions Indignities cruelties they here sustained both from our Kings their Officers the generality of the people by Gods just curse and vengeance on them for their sins yea notwithstanding all means used by our Kings Magistates Bishops preaching Friers and others both for their reformation and conversion to the Christian Faith yet the generality of them continued persevered still in their willfull obstinacy infidelity blindnesse enmity malice blasphemies despite against our crucified Saviour and Christianity which they manifested upon all occasions in publike and private by circumcising and crucifying chistian children breaking the Crucifix in Oxford and trampling it under foot in the midst of the Universities soleme Procession and otherwise expressed at large in the forementioned records as likewise in their extorsions clipping and falsifying moneys Charters usuries frauds rapes murders forgeries very few of them turning Christian converts and that either to save their lives or prevent some imminent dangers to their persons families estates and those of the poorer sort for the most part to get a present livelyhood from the Christians who frequently turned Apostates or flagiâ—ious malefactors to the scandal of religion 8. That the Jews here had their Synagogues Schools Priesâ—s Presbyter and Comptroller of their Exchequer Escheator Cofferers Cyrographers Attornies Bayliffs with their proper Judges and Court of Exchequer wherein only they were to be sued proceeded against and by whom they were Iudged their Prisons Attachers Tax-Masters Record-Keepers ordered in all things according as the King by his Writs and Letters directed All which Offices were appointed by the Kings special Patents Writs whose Names Powers Jurisdictions Salaries together with their legal trials and proceedings of all sorts civil criminal the forms of their Starrs Charters Extents of Lands assignments of Debts Releases Reliefs Fines with the names of the chiefest Jews are registred and most clearly fully related in the forecited Records and in no other printed History or Law-book whatsoever 9. That the Jews were exempt from all other Temporal and Ecclesiastical Courts and Jurisdictions but the Justices specially appointed for their custody and the Kings Exchequer for the Jews yea from all publike Taxes imposed on the English and could not be excommunicated by the
defaults before them and thereof to make due punishment as is aforesaid And now Hugh Peters if I may be thy Counsellor in sober sadnesse look to thy neck which as thou hast oft indangered forfeited by thy late Fire-works to blow up Kings Kingdoms Parliaments Lords our old fundamental Lawes Liberties Government as Straffords Canterburies late Impeachments Sentences with Mr. St. Iohns and others Arguments at their Attainders will resolve thee and thy open treasonable advising abetting the seising imprisoning of my self and above 40 more Members of Parliament in Hell on the bare boards Decemb. 6. 1648. whose names thou didst then list with an iron Sword under thy arme instead of the Sword of the Spirit So this thy Iesuitical Project to burn all our old Records whereby all former Judgement Titles Fines Recoveries c. will be nulled reversed which thou publickly abettest counsellest thy Magistrate to effect in Print proclaimes thee by thine own Confession without other evidence a Notorious Felon within this Act in the highest degree The burning avoiding of all our Records in general being a more transcendent Felony yea Treason to the whole Kingdom Nation than the embezelling only of one or two private Records or Writs relating but to one private person And if ever thou be brought to a legal Trial for it before such a Iury and such Iudges as this Act prescibes thou art sure to undergoe a Halter-Martyrdome at Tyburne which all will cry up according to thy Pamphlets Title for A good work of a good Magistrate and a short cut to great quiet for thy devoting all our old Records to a fiery Martyrdom in Smithfield which I trust they shall never undergo And that upon these ensuing weighty Considerations First these old Records which he would have burnt contain in them all the antient Rights Titles Evidences Charters Agreements Leagues Compacts of the Kings Kingdom Nation and people of England to all their pristine and present Dominions Jurisdictions Prerogatives Preheminences Priviledges Hereditaments and enjoyments both at home and abroad by Land and by Sea as they are a Kingdom Nation Republike body Politick in general and that both in relation to themselves and their own intrinsecal affairs at home as they have been owned reputed negotiated treated with upon special occasions as a Kingdom Nation Republike by any forraign Kings Princes Kingdoms States whose ancient undoubted Rights Titles to all or any of our Dominions Territories Jurisdictions Royalties cannot otherwise be legally cleared judicially evidenced upon any emergent occasion or controversie between our Kingdom Nation and other Forraign States and Realms or between our selves at home but by our old Records the only publike evidences of the whole Kingdom and English Nation as necessary to defend maintain justifie their common publick Rights Dominions Possessions Jurisdictions Claims priviledges upon all occasions as any private Noble or Gentlemans ancient Charters Records Writings are to defend manifest his right and Title to his private Inheritance and Injoyments witnesse the famous Letter of the King Parliament and Nobles of England written and sent to the Pope Anno 1302. to clear the subordination of Scotland to the Crown of England and the Homage of the Kings of Scotland made for their kingdom to the Kings of England as their superiour Lords from time to time manifested by the ancient Histories and Records of England beyond all contradiction Mr. Selden his Mare Clausum proving the Dominion and Jurisdiction of the Kings of England over the Narrow Seas by Records and Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma Therefore it must necessarily be as bad and mad a worke for a bad and mad Magistrate to burn all the publick Evidences and Records of the whole Kingdom and Nation upon the frantick motion of a Bedlam in this particular as for a Great landed Nobleman to burne all the old Charters Evidences of his Lands and Honors or for a rich Usurer to burn all his Bonds and Morgages which all wise men will repute an act of Frenzy and Hugh Peters too in his right senses 2. They contein in them all the great publike Charters Contracts Agreements Leagues formerly granted or made by the Kings of England to or with the Prelates Earles Barons Freemen Commons of England Ireland Scotland Wales Gernsey Iersy Man and all other Isles and Dominions belonging to the Crown of England in general all Charters Patents Grants Contracts Writs Releases Gifts Pardons Offices Honors Liberties Franchises Customs Priviledges Faires Markets Inheritances Rents Revenues Licences compositions formerly granted by our Kings to the respective Counties Cities Towns Burroughs Villages Hundreds Arch-bishops Bishops Deans Chapters Prebends Abbies Priories Nunneries Colledges Hospitals Free-schools Universities great Officers Chancellors Generals Admirals Marshals Justices Nobles Gentlemen Citizens Merchants Societies Fraternities most private persons both in England Ireland Wales Scotland all the British Isles and other Territories anciently belonging to England All whose particular patents grants evidences though under seal if alleged to be false forged sophisticated must be tryed only by their exemplifications or inrollments on record They likewise comprise all the Judgements Fines Common Recoveries Verdicts Trials Suits Statute Merchants and Staple Recognizances Inrolments yea in any of the private Conveyances Contracts between our Kings and private subjects and one subject another What a universal confusion subversion then disinherison destruction of all Rights Titles Interests Inheritances Priviledges the burning of all our old Records would immediatly bring upon all and every County City Corporation Nobleman Gentleman Inheriter Freeholder of the Realm of England and all the subordinate Dominions thereto annexed let this Short Cutter himself and all Wise men determine who hold or claim any thing by matter of Record their best and surest evidence 3ly All the good old Laws Statutes for the Governmeâ—t Peace safety defence and wellfare of the Nation are originally conteined in our Records by which they must be tryed examined Yea all the perambulations and deafforestations of our forrests All the Limits Bounds Extents Contents Jurisdictions Customs Priviledges Tenures Rents Services of all Counties Cities Burroughs Ports Honors Mannors Parishes Courts of Justice Offices Officers Civil Military Ecclesiastical Marine all the Pedegree Discents Successions by which all Heirs Successors hold or claim their inheritances are for the most part defined ascertained evidenced proved in and by our Records alone wherein they are enrolled And if they should all be burnt together what ataxies confusions contentions oppressions suits quarrels frauds Disinherisons would thereupon immediatly ensue all wisemen may prognosticke The mighty Nymrods and Grandees of the times wil then soon question al mens Titles devour their lesse potent neighbours estates inheritances adjoyning near to theirs all potent Landlords will exact what services rents customs heriots releifes they please from their poor tenants all superiour inferiour Courts Officers Corporations claim exercise what extravagant Jurisdictions powers they think meet and all legal means of defending mens rights liberties inheritances against
malitious potent vexatious Adversaries will be utterly abolished by Salt Peters new Firework to burn all our old Records to ashes 4ly Whereas this Ignoramus in our Records the most whereof he never yet saw and cannot so much as read produceth this only reason for their burning that they are the monuments of Tyranny I would demand of rhis bold blind Bayard who judgeth of coulors he never yet saw how he can make good this notorious untruth The greatest part of our Records are the two great Charters of the Liberties of England and the Forrest or sundry subsequent confirmations of them in several Parliaments the good old Laws Statutes Ordinances made by our wisest Kings Nobles Commons upon long advise and serions debates in our English Parliaments for the Government Peace defence wellfare of the people The proceedings debates Judgements Resolutions of our sagest Parliaments Judges Courts of Justice in all matters cases publike private civil or criminal formerly debated or resolved in them Old Charters Commissions Patents Writs Concords Fines Recoveries Statutes Judgements Extents Indictments Offices Grants of Liberties Lands Franchises Fairs Offices Pardons to particular persons corporations all matters advancing the defence of the Realm by Land and Sea in times of danger war according to the ancient Laws and Customes of the Realm Negotiations Truces Leagues with Embassies Letters to from forain Stares All particulars concerning Merchants Merchandise Trade Coyn Bullion Measures weights wools Staples Ships and the like Now how all or any of these can be stiled Monuments of Tyranny let this Lindsy-Wolsy great Clerk demonstrate at his best leasure Besides I here averr ex certa scientia against this Imposture That most of our old Records especially in the Tower are so far from being monuments of Tyranny that on the contrary they are the chiefest badges the clearest evidendences of those good old English Liberties which our noble Ancestors claimed purchased and transmitted to us as our richest Birthrights yea the principal Bulworks Fences against all sorts of Tyrannical usurpations encroachments on the Peoples Liberties Rights Properties in any kind whatsoever To put this out of Controversie I shall appeal only to the many excellent old Records produced most insisted on by the Commons and others in the several Parliaments of 7 8 21 Jacobi and 3 4 17. Caroli against all Impositions Tunnage Poundage Customs Excises Loans Taxes demanded imposed and exacted from the Subject without common consent and Act of Parliament against imprisoning Subjects by King or Council Table without any legal cause expressed in the warrants and not bailing them in such cases against Shipmoney Court and Conductmoney the Bishops late Canons and Oath Commissions for executing martial Law in times of Peace impressing and billiting Souldiers the Commissions of Array with other late Grievances Monopolies and the arbitrary proceedings of Strafford Canterbury the old Council Table Star-chamber and High-commission printed in sundry Treatises in Sir Edw. Cooks 2 4 Institut Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma and in my Legal Historical Vindication and collection of the good old fundamental Liberties c. of England to which I shall refer the Reader and Hugh Peters who if he had St. Augustines ingenuity hath as much cause and more than he to write a book of Retractations especially of this his rash sentence passed against our old Records devoting them to the fire which his and others New-Modles better deserve than they Now that I may the better excite encourage all generous English Spirits especially Lawyers Statesmen Historians Heralds and Divines who have opportunity not only to the diligent preservation but inspection study perusal of our ancient over-much neglected sleighted Records so rashly devoted to the fire by Peters I shall in brief acquaint each of them what hidden Treasures and rare precious pearls are locked up in these old Parchment cabinets 1. All grounded Students and Professors of the Law upon diligent search may find in our old Records the several Writs of Summons for our Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Viscounts Barons Citizens Burgesses Merchants and all other Members to our ancient English Parliaments Great Councils of State Synods Convocations with the several prorogations adjournments dissolutions of them for Knights and others wages The Speeches Proceedings Petitions Debates Consultations Orders Ordinances Statutes Judgements Pleas Demands Grants or Refusals of Aides Subsidies with all transactions resolves concerning peace War Government Trade Merchandise Bullion Coyn Weights Measure purviances Customes Tunnage poundage Imposts Fishing Shipping defence of King or Kingdom by Land or Sea Liberties priviledges properties regulation of abuses supplies of defects of Law Justice and all other matters formerly discussed in our English parliaments Which if faithfully transcribed and methodically digested into a Parliamentary Chronicle would for rare usefull matter Excellency certainty far exceed all Histories Statute-Books Law-Books Chronicles ever yet compiled rectifie many grosse mistakes in most of them and make more able knowing Lawyers Judges parlamentmen Statesmen than former ages have produced Besides the old Records in the respective Treasuries of the Tower Courts at Westminster and the Rolls faithfully relate at large the Institutions Jurisdictions procedings Judgements Writs Formalities Debates commissions Law-cases Judges Officers names customes Fees of all the great courts of Law Justice Equity civil Ecclesiastical Military Marine Justices Itinerant Justices of the Forrest Justices of Assize Oyer and Determiner of most other inferiour Courts and Commissioners both in England Wales Ireland Scotland Gascoyne Normandy Poyters the Isles of Man Gernsy Iersy Alderâ—y Serk Silly and other Isles the Stanneries in Cornwall and in most Corporations Counties Hundreds Honors Mannors in them Record all sorts of commissions charters Writs Warrants Instruments relating to Law Iustice Trade peace War The Courts Jurisdictions priviledges Mannors Lands Fees Rents exemptions Liberties Royalties Tenures Services customs Offices Successions pedigrees of the Kings Princes Queens Archbishops Bishops Deans Chapters cities corporations Fraternities Guilds Nobility Gentry Freeholders of England Ireland Wales Scotland and all Dominions Isles annexed to them with sundry other particulars necessary for an accomplished Lawyer out of which industrious Lawyers if countenanced by authority and encouraged by a a publike Salary might collect such a rare new Body and Systeme of the Laws customs courts and ancient legal proceedings in all the courts of Justice throughout our Dominions as would as far excell all other Abridgements collections Reports Institutes Registers Law-Books hitherto published for use excellency as the richest Diamond exceeds the basest pibble and bring more honour benefit to the English Nation than all the Shepheards Calenders and New-corps or Models of our old English Laws attempted by Hugh Peters Sword-men and some bold illiterate Ignoramusses of the Law who neuer yet perused any of our old Records nor read over half our English Law-books and yet will be reformers or deformers rather of what they never exactly knew not understood In brief the exact knowledge of our
Priesthood in the old and new Testam Latin Authors and Records is never stiled Presbyteratus but Sacerdotium 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 Mandatâ—m est Iusticiariis ad custod Iudaeorum assignatis quod de arreragiis Tallagii Iudaeorum de 10 mille marc quae colligi preâ—ipit 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 â—oyal instrument Some Iews in Oxford were this year imprisoned for forcibly taking away a Iewish child converted and baptized who being 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 Jusâ—ieiariis 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 auferâ—e debent Dominis feodorum custodiam tâ—rrarum quae de eis tenentur per servicium militare Mandatum est Vic. Ebor. quod praedict Nicho. de praedicta terra nomine custod talem seisâ—am faciat qualem inde habuit antequam praedicto Judeo per praeceptum Regis seisâ—am inde habere fecit T. R. apud Windsore 17 die Junii If Sir Edw Cook had been so well seen in records as most deem him he would certainly have remembred this in his Commentary on the Statute of Merton cap. 5. I meet with these four records in 23 H. demonstrating what fines Releifs the Jews heirs paid to the King to enjoy their Estates after their decease c. Aaron Judeus Ebor. Benedictus fil Jossei haeredes Samuelis fil Joscei Judei finem fecerunt cum Rege pro habendis terris et catallis quae fuerunt praedicti Samuelis pro centum libris de quibus reddit xx l. per annum scil x l. ad Pasch An. 23. ad festum Sancti Michaelis Anno eodem x l. et sic de anno in annum et de termino in terminum donec praedict 100 lib. plene fuerint solutae Et mandatum est Justic ad custod Judaeorum assignatis quod ita irrotulari omnes terras et catalla praedicta eisdem Aaron et Benedicto deliberari faciant salvo uxori ejusdem Samuelis rationabili dote sua secundum Legem et consuetudinem Judeorum quam quidem doâ—em idem Justiciar ei sine dilatione facient assignari T. R. apud VVoodstock 18 die Novembris Rex Baronibus suis de Scac. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus Ursello fil Hamond de Hereford et fratribus suis quod de fine quem fecerunt nobiscum pro habendis terris 〈◊〉 catallis praedicti Hamonis patris sui habeant eosdem terminos quos eis prius concessimus et tantundem Nobis reddent per annum quantuÌ„ reddere deÌ„bent per praefatam concessionem nostram eis prius factam ita quod primus terminus eorum incipiet ad Pasch an r. n. 23. sic deinceps reddant nobis de termino in terminum tantum denar per ann quant reddere debuerunt per praedict concessionem donec totus finis nobis persolvatur non obstante eo quod praedicti Ursell et fratres sui terminos suos quos eis concessimus non observarunt T. R. apud Westm 18 die Ian. By these two Presidents and many others in the Fine Rols of this Kings reign which I pretermit is is apparent 1. That all the Jews goods chattels houses lands upon their decease remained in the Kings hands neither could their children enjoy them till they had made a special Fine
proved at large not in the 18 year of his reign as Sir Edward Cooke very grosly mistakes which I shall infallibly evidence by these two Records in 4 E. 1. the very next year after their enacting which I have formerly touched and shall here transcribe at large expresly citing these very Statutes and awarding execution according to their prescription and words Rex Justiciariis suis ad Custodiam Judaeorum assignatis salutem Ex parte Gamalielis de Oxon. Judaeo London Nobis est ostensum quod cum nuper Saero de Geregrave per diversas Cartas quandam pecuniae summam mutuasset et idem Saerus qui tunc temporis pro libero habebatur servilis conditionis nunc existens ut dicitur omnes terras et tenementa sua quae libere dare vendere potuit obligare ad voluntatem suam post confectionem praedictarum Cartarum in tantum vendidit diversis Christianis adhuc eadem tenentibus quod nihil penes ipsum remansit praeter quandam portionem terrae quam nunc tenet in Villenagio et quam vendere nece alicui obligare potuit per quod dictus Judaeus de praedicto debito suo minus juste elongatur Volentes igitur eidem Judaeo ad debitnm suum recuperandum pro ut justum fuerit subvenire ita quod in hac parte sibi non fiat injnria Vobis mandamus quod licet sic fuerit quod dictus Saerus terras et ten quae tempore confectionis praedict Cart. libere tenuit post illud tempus vendidit nunc servilis conditionis extiterit propter hoc non omittatis quin per Sacramentum 12 liberorum legalium hominum per quod rei veritas melius sciri poterit et qui nulla affinitate attingunt praedictum Saorum vel tenentes terras tenementa praedicta diligenter inquiri faciatis quas terras redditus tenementa dictus Saerus habuit tempore confectionis praedictarum Cartarum quae tunc aut postea libere dare vendere obligare potuit ad voluntarem suam qui praedictas terras reddit us tenementa quae sunt vadium praedict Judaei pro praedicto debito nunc tenent quantum valeant per annum quantum quilibet inde tenet Et tunc inspectis debitis dicti Judaei ad quantum videlicet se extendunt SECUNDUM STATUTA NOSTRA IUDAISMI omnes quos praedictarum terrarum reddit et tenementer quae idem Saerus libere 〈…〉 potuiâ— tempore praedicto ut praedictum est et quae sunt vadium ipsius Jâ—dai per praedictam Inquisitionem tenentes inveneritis in quorum manibus existant distringi faciatis viz. tam praefatum Saerum si aliquam liberam terram teneat quam alios singulatim pro portione ipsum de praedicto debito contingenâ—e eidem Judaeo solvend Et si idem Saerus aut aliquis Christianus de praedictis tenentibus aliquod Staâ—rum acquietantiae vel recepti de praedicto Judaeo ostendere poterit illud eidem faciatis allocari T. R. apnd West 6. die Junii Rex Thesaurario et Baronibus suis de Scaccario et VVilâ—ielmo de Middleton saluâ—em Cùm Secundum Assisam et Statuta Iudaismi nostri Judaei nostri in Regno nostro habere debeant a Christianis debitoribus medietatem terrarum redituum et Catallorum suorum quousque debita sua perceperint ac Willielmus de Lascel de Oteringham qui Gamalieli de Oxon Judaeo per plures et diversas Cartas in centum et quinquaginta Libris et amplius tenetur non habeat terras aut tenementa in quibus distringi possit nisi viginti libras quas Johannes fil Mart. de Oteringham ei debet et centum solidâ—s et duodecim quarteria frumenti annui redditus percipiend à dicto Johanne ad terminum vitae ipsius Will. Volentes praefato Iudaeo ad debita sua praedicta recuperanda subvenire Vobis mandamus quod si ita est tunc praedicto Judaeo Secundum Statutum praedictum habere facias medietatem dictarum 20 librarum et medietatem dictorum centum solidorum et 12. quarter frumenti per annum quousque dictus Iudaeus Iuxta Statutum Nostrum de Iudaismo editum debitum suum perceperit antedictum Et nolumus quod praedict Willielmus possit dare vendere vel alienare medietatem dictarum 20 librarum nec medietatem dicti annui redditus quousque dict debitum praefato Judaeo plenarie per solvatur T. Rege apud Westm 14 die Maii. In these two memorable Records Anno 4 E. 1. wee have an expresse recital of the Statute de Iudaismo no less than 4 several times not only in words and substance but by name by these various stiles Statuta nostra Iudaismi Statuta Iudaismi nostri Secundum Statutum praedictum Juxta Statutum nostrum de Iudaismo editum Therefore beyond all contradiction this Statute could not be first made in the 18 year of King Edw the 1. as Sir Edw Cook most confidently affirms 3. or 4. several times in his slight Commentary upon it being 14 years after these Records which could not recite and command execution upon it so long before its making but in the 3d. year of his reign as I have fully evinced elsewhere both by Histories reasons and a brief touch of these Records which mistakes with others forecited I doubt not but himself would have publiquely retracted had he been living upon my clear discoveries of them which I now presume will henceforth mislead no persons since his decease as they have done most heretofore This stumbling block of his touching the true date of the Statute de Iudaismo being removed I shall proceed to other Records of the same year pertinent to my Subject Rex Iusticiariis suis ad Custodiam Iudaeorum assignatis salutem Quia accepimus quod Dominus Henricus Rex Pater noster habere solebat in Scaccario suo Iudaeorum quendam Iudaeum intendentem Officio Escaetariae de tenementis et catallis quae ad ipsum Patrem nostrum accidere debent per mortem vel transgressionem Iudaeorum vel quacunque alia ratione Et quod Nos nullum Iudaeum seu alium habemus nec habuimus post mortem ejusdem Patris nostri qui Officio praedicto intendat propter quod damnum non modicum hactenus sustinuimus ut accepimus Nos indempnitati nostrae prospici volentes in hac parte assignavimus Benedictum de Winton Iudaeum ad Officium praedictum exequendum in forma praedicta Et ideo vobis mandamus quod accepto ab eodem Sacramento corporali quod fideliter se habebit in Officio praedicto quamdiù steterit in eodem ipsum Benedictum ad Officium illud admittatis in forma praedicta T. Rege apud Westm. xix die Iulii In this Record we have both the Office Oath and imployment of the Kings Escheator of the Jews expressed to the full which no Histories or Law-books