Statute of the Jewry
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| Early history (1066-1200) |
| Statute of the Jewry (1275) |
| Edict of Expulsion (1290) |
| Resettlement (1655) |
| Marranos in England |
| Jew Bill of 1753 |
| Influences |
| Emancipation |
| Early literature |
| Chuts |
| Related |
| British Jews • List |
| History of the Jews in Ireland |
| History of the Jews in Scotland |
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The Statute of the Jewry was a statute issued by Edward I of England in 1275 ending the usury by Jews in England.
Contents |
[edit] Context
For several years Edward had been taxing the Jewish money lenders in England, to finance his campaign against Wales. When the Jews were finally unable to pay Edward's ever increasing taxes, a pogrom ensued which forced Jews over the age of seven to wear an identifying Yellow badge, and making the exploitive practice of usury illegal (linking it to blasphemy), in order to seize their assets. Scores of Jews were subsequently arrested of whom some 300 were hanged and their property given to the Crown. In 1280 Edward ordered Jews to be present at Dominicans preaching conversion. In 1287, the King began to arrest Jews and demand that a ransom of 12,000 pounds be paid for their release.
[edit] Provisions
- The Jews' creditors were no longer to be liable to debts contracted with them.
- Jews were not allowed to live outside certain cities and towns.
- Any Jew above the age of seven had to wear a yellow badge of felt on his or her outer clothing, six inches by three inches.
- Jews above the age of 12 had to pay a tax of three pence annually.
- Christians were forbidden to live among Jews.
