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
two Christians and two Jews c. according to the forementioned Charter of King Iohn Inter Placita apud VVestm Anno x Regis Johannis Termino Hilarii in Octabis Sancti Hilarii Rotulo 9 in dorso Samuel Mucun Muriel Judaea petunt versus Herebertum filium Heb. CCCCl de Catallis de debito Israel per quandam Cartam et producunt duos Christianos duos Judaeos paratos ad hoc probandum prout Curia consideraverit Herebertus dicit quod Carta illa falsa est ideo falsa quia Sigillum illud nunquam suum fuit nec Cartam illam fecit nec pecuniam illam mutuo recepit producit Sigillum suum Eburneum plurimas Cartas Sigillo illo Sigillatas tam de Abaciis quam de confirmatione terrarum And hereupon I find no further proceedings in this Record printed a little out of its due place before these ensuing proceeding it in time could be transcribed It seems every Jew in that age had his proper Seal to Seal Charters Stars and Obligations therewith which yet were good in Law if really sealed by him though with any other Seal than his own In the 5 year of King Iohn the Jews of London being assaulted disturbed and misused by the people against the Kings protection and peace thereupon the King at their request sent this sharp Letter to the Mayor and Barons of London committing the Jews there to their protection and defence and threatning severely to punish and require their blood at their hands if they should suffer any injury through their default Rex c. Majori Bar. London c. Semper dileximus vos multum jura libertates vestras bene observari fecimus unde credimus vos nos specialiter diligere ea quae ad bonorem nostrum pacem tranquilitatem terrae nostrae eduntur libenter velle prestare Verum cum sciatis quod Judaei in speciali nostra protectione sint miramur quod Iudaeis in civitate London morantibus malum fieri sustinetis cum id manifeste sit contra pacem Regni terrae nostrae tranquilitatem Ita quidem magis miramur et movemur quia alii Iudaei per Angliam ubicunque moram fecerunt exceptis illis qui sunt in villa vestra in bona pace consistunt Nunc id tamen diximus pro Iudaeis nostris pro pace nostra quia si â—uidam tantum pacem nostram dedissemus debetur inviolabiter observari De caetero autem Iudaeos in civitate London morantes vestrae committimus custodiae ut si quis eis malum facere attentaverit vos manu forti eis subsidium facientes eos defendatis Vestris enim manibus eorum sanguinem modo requiremus si forte per defectum vestri aliquid mali eis acciderit quod absit Scimus enim bene quod per fatuos Villae et non per discretos hujusmodi eveniunt et debent discreti fatuorum Stultitiam compescere Teste meipso apud Montem fortem 29 die Julii This smart Letter demonstrates the Kings cordial affection to the Jews though more for his own advantage than theirs In the Fine Rolls of the 6 of King Iohn I find this Kecord Galfr. de Salvage dat 10 Mar. ut Willus de Hardreshal acquietet ipsum versus Jacob. Iudaeum Northampton de plegagia debiti unde pleg Willi. fuit versus eundem Iudaeum et unde queritur quod pro defectu ejus distringitur Et mandat est licent quod si ipse Willus non fuerit et ipse Galfr. ips sect c. In the Clause Rolls of the 7 9 years of K. Iohn I find these 3 short records manifesting the Kings power both to remit their usury due upon contracts and to respite their debts themselves Rex Constabulario Wallingford c. Praecipimus tibi quod pacem habere facias Roberto de Maure de usuris debiti Iudaeorum de termino quem monstrare poterit quod fuerit in servicio nostro cum equis et armis ultra mare per praeceptum nostrum Teste meipso apud Wodestoke 25 die Maii per Iusticiarios Rex W. de Warren et sociis suis c. Mandamus vobis quod quietum esse faciatis Abbatem sanct Radegunde de usuris debitorum Iudaeorum de duobus annis proxime praeteritis usque ad instans Pasche anno reg nostri 9. dum fuit in servicio nostro per praeceptum nostrum Et Summoneatis Iudaeos quibus ipse debita debet quod sint coram Iusticiario nostro G. fil Petri eoram nobis a die Pasche in 15 dies ad recipiendum ab eo finem debitis illis Et mandetis Vicâ—quibus necesse fuerit quod nullam interim districtinem faciant eidem Abbati pro debitis illis reddendis T. G. fil Petri apud Suth 25 die Marcii Rex W. de Warren et sociis suis custodibus Iudaeorum c. Mandamus vobis quod quietum esse faciatis Rogerum Wesperill de usuris debitorum quae debet Simoni Iudeo Oxon. ab hoc inst Pasce anno Reg. nostri 9. usque ad Pasche prox sequent et interim ei respectum habere faciatis de praedict debitis T. Aaron Norwic. apud Clarenden 21 die Marcii per eundem By these 3 Presidents it is apparent that the Jews Usury was condemned and no ways favoured by King Iohn and his Justices in that age long before either the Statute of Merton 20 H. 3. c. 5. or De Iudaismo 3 E. 1. c. 1. were enacted and that the King would by no means permit it to run against any whilst actually imployed in his service nor others whom he favoured to whom he released the Usury at his pleasure and his Judges likewise by his command In the Roll of Fines of the 9 year of King Iohn I find these two cases concerning extents of Lands for the debts of Jews in that age Margareta de Lucy dat quinque marcas pro habenda haereditate de Kerchel et de Hammes quam Robertus de Lucy quondam vir ejus invadiavit Iudaeis in vita sua quod Iudaei capiant se a debito quod idem Robertus eis debuit super praedictum vadium ad haeredem ipsâ—us Roberti qui haereditatem suam tenet Et mandatum est Vicecomiti quod accepta ab ea securitate de praedictis 5 marcis faciat ei habere plenariam seisinam de praedicta haereditate sua quae capta fuit in manum Domini Regis occasione praedicta Et mandatum est Iusticiariis Iudaeorum quod de praedicto debito capiant se ad haereditatem praedicti Roberti quam haeres ejus tenet The husband morgaged his wives inheritance to a Jew for a debt and dies for which the wives lands being taken by way of extent into the Kings hands upon the Wives suit and fine of 5 marks her land is discharged the husbands land descended to his heir charged with and extended for
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
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
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
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
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
send the Chest of the Iews of Lincoln to London belike for the same crucifying of this child Mandat est Vic. Linc. quod statim visis literis istis mittat usque London Archam Cirogr Lincoln sub salva custodia liberand Ph. Luvel Thesaur Regis et Justic ad custodiam Iud assignatis et quod venire fac ibidem cum eadem Archa omnes Cyrographarios ejusdem Villae tam Christianos quam Iudaeos et hoc non omittat This year the King ordained a New Justice for the Iews who took an Oath of Fealty to the King due to his Office and was formally invested in the place as this record relates Rex constituit Adam de Greenvile Iusticiarium suum Iudaeorum et ab eo recipit Sacramentum fidelitatis Regi debitum pretextu officii sui Et mandat est Phil. Luvel Thesaurar regis c. quod ipsum in locum suum tanquam Iustic Regis in Scac Iudaeorum sine dilatione ponant T. R. per R. Walis Cok. fil Aaron Iudeus London cum instantia supplicavit regi Quod super Fine quem nuper fecit coram Philip. Luvel Thes et Henrico de Bathon ad opus regis pro 20 marc auri eidem Iudeo literae Patentes fieri fac Et mandatum est eisdem Philipâ—o et Ric quod formam Literarum Patent quas pred Judeus inde habere debet ad terminos solucionis ejusdem auri sub sigillis suis significent ut Rex literas illas eidem Judâ—o fieri et consignari faciat T. R. apud Clarend 3 die Iulii It seems these Justices directed all the Iews Patents of this nature In the 41 year of King Henry the 3d. Elyas Bishop the High Priest of the Iews as Mat. Paris stiles him for a certain Transgression against the King and his Brother King of Almaine was judicially deprived of his High-Priesthood and Priestly Office by the judgement of the Kings Justices assigned for the custody of the Jews in the Exchequer and of all his other Offices formerly granted him by the King and that he should never be capable to receive or execute these Offices again whereupon the King for a Fine of 3 marks of gold paid by the Commonalty of the Jews granted unto them by his Charter that from thenceforth none should be their Priest but by the common election of the said Commonalty of the Jews and that upon the death of every Priest they should have free Liberty to chuse another Priest and of presenting him to the King that he might obtain his assent and favour therein as this memorable record informs us wherein the names of the Justices assigned to the Iews are specified Rex omnibus c. Cum Elyas Episcopus Iudaeus noster London pro transgressione quam fecit 〈◊〉 Nobis quam dilecto fratri nostro Regi Almannorum a sacerdotio communitatis â—udaeorum Augliae coram dilectis fidelibus nostris Philippo Ballet Philippo Luvel Henrico de Bathonia Simon Passelew caeteris Iusticiariis ad custodiam Iudeorum assignatis quos ad Transgressionem Uam convincendam Iusticiarios nostros assignavimus Per Iudicium eorundem ad Scaccarium nostrum Fuerit abjudicatus et de ejusdem Sacerdotii Officio et eâ—iam de omni 〈…〉 officiis et Ballivis quas a Nobis prius obâ—inuit sit depositus Nos de consilio erundem Iusticiariorum concessimus praedictae Communitati Iudeorum nostrorum Angliae per finem trium marcarum auri quem Cresse et Haginus fratres ejusdem Iudaei nobis pro eadem Communicate fecerunt quod praedictus Elyas Sacerdotium illud nunquam in posterum habeat et recuperet Et quod nullus de Communitate illa de caetero sit Sacerdos nisi per communem Electionem Communitatis ejusdem Quod illa Communitas post decessum cujuslibet Sacerdotis sic electi alium eligendi quemcunque voluerint Sacerdotem liberam habeat facultatem ac ipsum Nobis praesentandi ut nostrum super hoc assensum optineat et favorem In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Wodstoke 20 die Iulii I observe in this Record that Elyas is stiled only Sacerdos not Presbyter Judeorum his only Priestly office called Sacerdotium communitatis Angliae Sacerdotii officium not Presbyteratus omnium Judeorum totius Angliae as Jacobs and Aarons forementiontioned Offices are And he that should succeed him by common election is still here stiled Sacerdos Sacerdotis Sacerdotem thrice together not Presbyter at all Therefore certainly these offices were distinct the one ecclesiastical the other temporal in the Exchequer only as I formerly manifested What Elias his offence was for which he was thus deprived of his Priesthood is not expressed in the record but most probably it was his stout bold speech to the King Earl Richard and the Lords in behalf of the Jews â—he year before when they exacted an intollerable tax from them under pain of a most loathsom prison hangiug and an ignominious death recorded at large by Matthew Paris and in the first part of my Demurrer which I shall not repeat What power the King and his Justices then had over their Iewish Bishop Priests themselves is sufficiently evident by this Record In the Rolls of 41 H. 3. I find the King at the intercession of his Brother King of Romans acquitting Cresse and two other Iews of London for 5 compleat years then next ensuing Ab omnibus Tallagiis auxiliis ad Nos pertinentibus pro una marca auri et dimid to be paid by each of them yearly into the Wardrobe And at the instance of the Queen he granted this exemption Iacobo le Eveske Judeo and to his Son Benedict after his death Quod toto tempore vitae suae quietus esset de omnibus Tallagiis auxiliis et aliis demandis ad nos pertinentibus pro 5 marc argenti nobis annuatim reddend ad Scac. nostrum salvo tamen nobis haeredibus nostris misericordias in quas inciderit pro forisfacto aliquo personam suam tangente Likewise he granted by Patent to Cok. a Jew licence to sue for his fathers debts for which he paid a fine to the King and to extend his Debtors lands for the debts sine aliqua usura Yea I find this pardon of an Outlawry to a Jewesse the same year Rex omnibus c. Sciatis quod per finem quem Roesia Crespin Iudea London fecit nobiscum remissimus ei vtlagariam in ipsam promuigatam et malas occasiones pro eo quod ipsa non venit ad mandatum nostrum Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ipsam contra hanc concessionem nostram non vexatis In cujus c. Teste R. apud Winton 4 die Novembris This strange Precept was sent the Constable of the Tower not to bail the Jews upon any Justices Precept Mâ—ndat est Constab Turris London quod nec Vic. nec Judeum vel Judeam arrest
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
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
ut supra Rex dilect et fidel suis Stephano de Pentecester Walt. de Helynn Ioh. de Cobham Justiciar ad placita Monetae audiend et terminand assignatis salutem Quia Omnes Judaei nuper rectati et per certam suspicionem indictati de retonsura Monetae nostrae et inde convicti cum ultimo supplicio puniuntur et quidam eorum eadem occasione omnia bona et catalla sua forisfecerunt et in prisona nostra liberantur in eadem ad voluntatem nostram detinendi Volumus quod omnes illi Judaei qui bona et catalla sua forisfecerunt ut praedict est et qui in prisona nostra ea occasione detinentur et qui pro deliberatione corporum suorum finem facere voluerint vobiscum ad opus nostrum hujusmodi finem juxta vestram discretionem facere possint Et quod mulieres Judeae quae fuerunt uxores Judaeorum dampnatorum et etiam uxores Judaeorum quorum bona et catal forisfact sunt et quae habent unde redimi possunt similit fin facere possunt vobisc ad opus nostr juxta discretionem vestram et juxta quantit bonorum quae viri â—ui habuerunt et quae nondum inventa et per eosdem Judaeos occulte deponantur et sic per hujusmodi finem a prisona qua occasione praedict detinentur deliberari Ita quod Judeae pauperes quae fuerunt uxores hujusmodi dampnat Judeorum et similiter uxores Judaeorum quae bona et catalla sua forisfecerunt et quae non habent unde redimi possunt per vos absque redemptione deliberentur a Prisona Volumus insuper et mandamus quod citra festum sancti Ioh. Baptistae de terris et tenementis Judaeorum hujusmodi quae sunt escaeta nostra diligenter inquiratis in quibuscunque locis existent et pro quanto vendi possint et quis plus dare velit pro eisdem et nobis precium inde citius persolvere Ita quod inde infra Terminum praedict ad plenam nos cerciorare possitis Et ideo vobis mandamus quod fines hujusmodi a dictis Judaeis tam Masculis quam femellis et omnia praemissa faciatis in forma praedicta Test Rege ut supra Consimiles literae diriguntur Iohan. Beks et sociis suis Justiciariis ut supra T. R. ut supra Consimiles literae diriguntur Barthol de Suleye et sociis suis Justiciar ut supra T. R. ut supra Besides these Patents to the Justices the King then issued forth special Patents and Commissions to divers others to sell the Houses and Tenements of the coudemned and hanged Jews for his best advantage in this form Rex omnibus c. salutem Sciatis quod dedimus potestatem dilectis et fidel nostris Thomae de Sodyngton Hugoni de Lendale et Majori Eborum ad domos nostras quae sunt escaeta nostra in civitate Eborum et extra per feloniam quorundam Judaeorum ibid. et alibi nuper suspensorum et tenementa quorundam aliorum Judaeorum qui se in patriam ponere renuerunt vendendi et homines inde feoffandi prout ad opus nostrum magis viderint expedire Dedimus etiam potestatem dilecto et fideli nostro Hamoni Hauteyn praedict Hugoni et Thomae fil Roberti ad hujusmodi domos in Civitate Lincoln et extra vendendi in forma praedicta Dedimus etiam potestatem eisdem Hamori Hugoni Gilberto de Cestreton ad hujusmodi domos in Villa Stanford et extra vendendi in forma praedicta Dedimus etiam potestatem eisdem Hamoni Hugoni Vicecomiti Warw. ad hujusmodi domos in Villa Warw. et extra vendendi in forma praedicta Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid praedicti fideles nostri vel duo eorum in singulis Comitatibus Villis praedictis nomine nostro duxerint faciendum Nos enim factum eorum in hac parte per Literas nostras Patentes ratificabimus In cujus c. T. Rege apud Westm 17 die Novemb. The like Letters Patents and Commission were then issued forth to others to sell the condemned and executed Jews houses lands rents in other places Rex dilecto fideli suo Willielmo de Braybeof salutem Sciatis quod dedimus vobis potestatem vendendi omnes terras et redditus Judaeorum dampnatorum pro transgressionibus sibi impositis in locis in quibus vos ad inquirendum de hujusmodi Transgressionibus assignati estis prout vobis injunximus viva voce et prout ad opus nostrum magis videbitur vobis expedire Et ideo vobis mandamus quod hujusmodi domos terras et redditus Judaeorum sic dampnatorum vendatis in forma praedicta Ita quod de Exitibus venditionis illius Nobis respondere possetis ad mandatum nostrum In cujus c. T. Rege apud Brehul 1 die Aug. When the Jews had all made fines and ransoms for their Trespasses with the Kings Justices and Commissioners as aforesaid then he sent forth a proclamation that they might freely exercise their lawfull Trades Merchandizes with Christians and one another as formerly and buy victuals with other necessaries and have such communion with Christians as they were wont prohibiting any to lay violent hands upon or molest them as this Record with others of the like nature to other Sheriffs attests Mandatum est Vicecomiti Eborum quod in pleno Comitatu Eborum et in Civitate praedicta publice proclamari faciat Quod Judaei ibidem de rebus et mercandisis licitis cum omnibus tam Christianis quam Judaeis libere negociari possint et victualia alia necessaria ab omnibus emere et inter Christianos conversari prout premissa facere consueverunt temporibus retroactis Firtuiter etiam inhiberi fâ—cias ne qui in eos manus violentas injiciant vel alias eis malefaciant contra pacem Regis King â—â—wâ—rd the 1. in the 8. year of his reign issued forth these Letters paâ—ents following for the sale of all the condemned Jews houses Lands and Tenements in London and 14 other several Counties named in them in all which they had Lands Tenements and Possessions 〈…〉 small value 〈…〉 ad quos c. salutem Sciatis quod dediâ—â—us potestaâ—em pro vobis haeredibus nostris dilecto 〈◊〉 nostro Waltero de 〈◊〉 vendendi nomine nostro 〈◊〉 domos terras tenementa cum pertinentiis quae fuerunt quo umcunque Iudaeorum quae ad manum nostram tanquam Escaeta nostra per foâ—isfactur am eorundem occasione transgressionum monetam nostram tangentiuÌ„ devenerunt videlicet in Civitate London Comitatibus Middle Sussex Surr. Kanc ' Essex Hertf. Norf. Suff. Cantuar. Hunt Bucks Bedf. Oxon. Berks. Ita quod ipsi qui ea emerint à praefato Waltero ea habeant et teneant sibi et haeredibus suis in perpetuum In cujus c. T. Rege apud Windsore 28 die
habere consuevit Ita quod idem Walterus domos illas in quibus idem Archidiaconus morabatur ibidem inhabitet pro voluntate sua c. T. R. apud Kingestclipton 27 die Octobris On the 16 day of December following the King granted the custody of this house to Richard de Clunpynges by this Patent which manifests that the converted Jews were not banished with the rest Rex omnibus et singulis Conversis Domus suae London salutem Sciatis quod commissimus dilecto clerico nostro Rico. de Clunpynges custodiam Domus praedictae habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit cum omnibus ad dictam custodiam pertinentibus eodem modo quo Johis de Sancto Dionis quondam Archidiaconus Roffensis defunctus eam dum vixit habere consuevit Ita quod dom illas in quibus idem Archidiaconus morabatur ibidem pro voluntate sua inhabitet Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Rico. tanquam custodi vestro in omnibus que ad custodiam illam perâ—inent 〈◊〉 eâ— sitis et respondentes sicut praedictum est In cujus c. T. Rege apud Odyham 16 die Decembris The very next year after the Jews banishment within four moneths of their departure hence I find these Letters Patents directed by the King to all his Sheriffs Bayliffs and Lieges expresly mentioning their banishment hence and the Kings designing of all the rents and profits of their houses from the time of their banishment to be collected and disposed to pious uses as Hugh de Kendale Clerk should appoint specially intrusted with the management of this affair Rex Vicecomitibus omnibus aliis Ballivis fidelibus suis ad quos c. salutem Cum assignavimus totam pecuniam provenientem de Domibus quae fuerunt Judaeorum nostrorum in Anglia in quosdam pios usus convertendam per quod volumus quod totum commodum perveniens ex Domibus illis a tempore exilii eorundem ut ex conventione Domorum earundem rebus aliis in eosdem usus applicetur Assignavimus dilectum Clericum nostrum Hugonâ—m de Kendale ad inquirendum de conductionibus et omnibus receptis hujusmodi plenam veritatem et ad onerandum Vicecomites Ministros et omnes receptoâ—es pecuniae inde provenientis a tempore exilii praedicti et ad pecuniam illam in tuto loco reponendam per Vicecomites vel alio modo prout melius viderit expedire Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Hugoni intendentes sitis credentes respondentes Teste Rege apud Asherugge 22 die Ianuarii King Edward presently after the Jews banishment hence seized upon all their Houses Lands and Revenues throughout England as escheated into his hands by this their sentence of banishment and presently within few moneths after made sale of them to English men by several Letters Patents as appears by a special Pat. Roll of the sales of their houses made in the 19 and 20 years of his reign thus endorsed Carta de Judaismo Literae Patentes de domibus Iudaeorum concessis Post eorum Exilium de Anglia wherein are near one hundred particular Patents of sales of them to several persons running in the selfsame form mutatis mutandis all mentioning their Banishment hence this Kings title to them thereby by way of Escheat take one in the 19. year for an example of all that ensue that year Rex omnibus ad quos c. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus pro Nobis haeredibus nostris Isabellae quae fuit uxor Ade de Sancto Albano Junior Domos illas cum pertinentiis in London quae fuerunt Leonis fil Cressey fil Magistri Eliae Judaei de parochia Sancti Martini Pomer in Ismongerslane Per Exilium ejusdem Iudaei a Regno nostro tanquam Escaeta nostra in manu nostra existentes et quae ad quatuor marcas extenduntur Habendum tenendum eidem Isabellae et haeredibus suis de Nobis et haeredibus nostris imperpetuum Reddendo inde Nobis haeredibus nostris unum denarium per manum Vicecomitis ejusdem Civitatis singulis annis ad Scaccarium nostrum Pasche et faciendo aliis Dominis feodi illius servicia inde debita et consueta In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Asherigge 27 die Decembris Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Henrici xix This Patent bears date within two Moneths next after the Jews actual departure hence upon the Decree and Edict for their banishment After which follow near one hundred Patents of their houses made this year wherein was the same recital of their banishment as in this transcribed Then follow many other Patents made of the Jews houses by the King in the 20 year of his reign intituled in the Roll and Margin Patentes de Domibus Judaeorum concessis Post eorum Exilium ab Anglia the first whereof in Memb. 2. runs thus Rex omnibus ad quos c. salutem Sciatis quod concessimus pro Nobis et haeredibus nostris Willielmo de Taburet de Bedeford Katerinae uxori ejus Domos illas quae fuerunt Cok filii Benedicti de Bedeford Per Exilium ejusdem Iudaeia Regno nostro tanquam Escaeta nostra in manu nostra existentes et quae ad sex 〈◊〉 extenduatur Habendum et tenendum eisdem Willielmo Kater et haeredibus suis vel cui ilâ—as secundum consuetudineÌ„ villae praedictae donare vel assignare voluerint de Nobis haeredibus nostris imperpetuum Reddendo inde Nobis haeredibus nostris unum denarium per manum Vicecom nostri Bedf. singulis annis ad Scaccarium nostrum ad festum Sancti Michaelis Et faciendo aliis dominis feodi illius servicia inde debita consueta T. Rege apud Westm 29 die Novemb. After which follow near 20 patents more of other Jews houses made that year in the same form Therefore by the unanimous irrefragable verdict of all these manifold Patents the Jews were legally and judicially Banished out of England and by this their Judgment of Banishment both by the King and Parliament all their houses and lands actually escheated into the Kings hands who thereupon seized and sold them to others in fee upon this very Title of Escheat by their Exile out of England which had Sir Edward Cooke known or observed I am confident he would never have asserted this untruth that they voluntarily banished themselves out of England only because their Usury was banished thence To these Records I might annex the case of the Prior of Bridlington which himself cites in the Placita Parliamenti post Pascha apud London 21 E. 1. rot 4. recited again in alio Rotulo Anno 22 E. 1. rot 5. wherein there is this double recital of the Jews exile hence and of a Debt of 200 l. due to the King thereby which he had Judgement to recover against the Prior. Et quia praedictus
Custodes Rotulorum praedictorum in dicta Domo Conversorum et Custodes illos ponendi in possessionem ejusdem cum suis juribus et pertinentiis quibuscunque In cujus c. T. Rege apud Shene x. die Aprilis Per Breve de privato Sigillo Since which by vertue of this Patent this house of the Converts hath continued annexed to the Custos and Mastership ol the Rolls of the Chancery yet still liable and subject to the first charitable uses for habitation and sustentation of such Jewish and other Converts to which it was at first designed For which I shall now only recite one president more already printed by John Stow out of the Records of 5 R. 2. One William Pierce a Jew that became a Christian and was baptized was by this Kings Charter in the 5th of his reign admitted and received into this ancient Domus Conversorum and had there 2 d. a day allowed him by the King during his life And by the self-same Equity if the Jews be now readmitted into England and any of them shall chance to be converted to Christianity and baptized either upon real or hypocritical or politick grounds they ought to be there received and maintained in the self-same manner as they were in former times I have now courteous Reader presented thee and the world with the exactest Chronicle and History of the English Iews from the 1. year of King Iohn Anno Dom. 1599. till their total and final banishment hence in the 18 year of Edward the 1. Anno Dom. 1290 and some years after it hitherto published in any age sincerely collected with no little diligence pains search and cost out of the most excellent Rolls Records of those times yet extant in the Tower and Exchequer all which I diligently perused with mine own eys faithfully transcribed not taking them upon trust as others commonly do and so frequently miscite or mistake them all which Records being diligently entred very year successively under these Kings reigns by publick Clerks and Notaries imployed for that end and faithfully relating every thing concerning the Jews and all other transactions publick or private as they were then really acted are the truest best most unerring guides that posterity can follow the infalliblest evidences they can surely rely on or any Historians make use of in relating the History or proceedings of former ages the ignorance of which Records hath occasioned many mistakes both in matters of fact and Law in most of our Historians Chronicles and Law Books Some whereof relating to the English Jews I have here rectified in the by From all the Records here printed in their own words and language give me leave in brief to observe for thy better information these few general heads concerning the Jews to which they are reducible 1. That though our Kings by their forementioned Charters Writs and Proclamations granted many large Priviledges Protections Immunities to the Jews especially in the beginning of their reigns as if they were their only favourites and darlings above all other of their Subjects yet these their Royal Protectors and their Justices specially appointed for their custody soon after notwithstanding all their former Charters Declarations and promised Liberty Peace Protection proved their most unsatiable merciless perfidious tyrannical Exactors Fleecers Oppressors Taxmasters Tormentors almost without any intermission in one kind or other 2 That the Jews under all these Kings reigns notwithstanding all their indulged Liberties were but their most absolute Bondslaves and exquisite Villains in all respects as these particulars will evidence First their names were all inrolled in the Kings Exchequer for the Jews and they confined to live and abide only in such places as the King and his Justices assigned for their custody should prescribe them from which they might not remove without special license 2ly They were to be there constantly resident that the Kings Officers might there finde both them and their families upon all occasions 3ly They were translated from place to place at the Kings pleasure and permitted to reside in no place but where they had a common chest 4ly Their persons wives children infants families were imprisoned distrained sent to remote Prisons Castles banished executed tormented put to fines and ransoms upon all occasions especially for their Taxes and Debts to the King 5ly They were both by poll and wholesale granted and sold to others like Bondslaves and Villains in grosse by the King and morgaged to those who would purchase them or advance any monies upon their assignment 6ly They were alwayes to wear a badge and Table on their outmost garments as well females as males whereever they rod or went to distinguish them from Christians with whom they were to have no intimate communion who were prohibited to be servants nurses to any of the Jews in any kind and were all of them to be slaves and servants to the King in one kinde or other 7ly They were all prohibited to depart the Realm when once entred without special licence which they could not obtain and imprisoned yea put to fines and ransoms when they attempted it to avoid their Taxes Such was their Vassallage in respect of their persons As for their real and personal estates they were wholly at the Kings disposal First the King could seise all their Lands Houses Rents Annuities Fees Morgages Debts Goods Chattels gold silver and sell grant release give them unto whom he pleased at his pleasure 2ly All their real and personal estates chattels debts escheated to the King upon their deaths neither could their children wives heirs executors enjoy them without making Fines reliefs and compositions with the King for them at high rates 3ly They could not sue for any debt morgage house fee duty nor assign grant sell give release them unto others without the Kings special license for which they paid such fines as he thought fit to impose 4ly The King could stay their actions debts usury respite them for what time he pleased order them to be paid at other Terms and by other summes than those expressed in their charters and obligations and finally pardon release them and deliver up their Charters to their Debtors when and where he pleased 5ly The King seised searched inrolled sealed up all their publick Chests Charters Writings Debts Goods Chattels Estates and disposed of them to his own use upon all occasions notwithstanding all Grants and Charters to them and appointed all their Judges Officers Cyrographers Cofferers Escheators Presbyters Priests and Tallagers at his pleasure yea inforced them to tax distrain imprison one another under pain of perpetual imprisonment banishment confiscation of all their estates and the severest penalties as the premised Records assure us 3ly They alwayes lived under uncessant perpetual arbitrary unsupportable Taxes and Tallages imposed on them without any act of Parliament or their common assents by our Kings and their griping Officers at what rates soever they pleased sometimes 5000. or 6000. somtimes 20000. 60000
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