Jew's Court

Jews' Court is the Oldest synagogue in the British Isles. A Norman building on Steep Hill in Lincoln, immediately above Jew's House, it is dated to between 1150 and 1180.[1] It is "probably the only standing medieval synagogue in England"[2] and is a Grade I listed building.

The building is thought to have been used as a synagogue until the expulsion of the entire Jewish community from England in 1290. A niche on the eastern wall currently used as an ark may date from this period.[2] [3][1]

In 1910, a well was dug in the basement of the building; the owner subsequently claimed that this was where the body of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln had been found.

In 1992, Jewish services were restarted in the building and still continue; the remainder of the building operates as a bookshop. The Lincolnshire Jewish Community, which is affiliated with Liberal Judaism, holds regular shabbat and other services at Jews' Court.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "National Monument Record". http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1513674. Retrieved 2011-02-19. 
  2. ^ a b Kadish, Sharman (2006). Jewish Architectural Heritage in England. English Heritage. p. 105. ISBN 978-1905624287. 
  3. ^ Hillaby, Joe. "British Archaeology, no 16, July 1996: Letters". Council for British Archaeology. http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba16/BA16LETS.HTML. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  4. ^ Dale, Richard. "Lincolnshire Jewish Community: From the Chairman". Lincolnshire Jewish Community. http://www.lincolnshirejc.org/chairman.html. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 

External links