Jew's Court

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Frontage of Jews' 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.[1][2][3]

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 and charged people to see it.[4]

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.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jew's Court, Lincoln.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National Monument Record". Retrieved 2011-02-19. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kadish, Sharman (2006). Jewish Architectural Heritage in England. English Heritage. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-905624-28-7. 
  3. ↑ Hillaby, Joe. "British Archaeology, no 16, July 1996: Letters". Council for British Archaeology. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  4. ↑ Eric Weil (September 2003). "Lincolnshire Jewish Community". BBC Lincolnshire. Retrieved 31 August 2013. 
  5. ↑ Dale, Richard. "Lincolnshire Jewish Community: From the Chairman". Lincolnshire Jewish Community. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 

Sources

External links

Coordinates: 53°13′56″N 0°32′19″W / 53.2322°N 0.5387°W / 53.2322; -0.5387

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