timeline

William, Duke of Normandy, William I of England, a descendant of Scandinavians who had invaded and occupied Normandy, defeated King Harold and occupied England in 1066. In 1068 King William brought Jews from Rouen to London. Jews were under William’s “protection”, meaning they had no freedom, their safety from harm depended on the King and they and everything they owned belonged to the King.

London was still that rough square mile enclosed by what was originally a Roman wall.

Gradually Jewish communities were established in other places, among them York, Winchester, and Lincoln.

Above: Imaginary portrait of William I of England by Anonymous, around 1500. National Portrait Gallery, London.

Above: Image thought to be of King Edward I. Sedilia at Westminster Abbey, erected during his reign (1272- 1307).

1066

William, Duke of Normandy, invades England and defeats King Harold at the Battle of Hastings.

1066 to 1087

King William brings Jews from Rouen.

Pre-1100

Establishment of the Jewish community within the City wall of London, and their cemetery outside the wall. It is the only Jewish cemetery in the country.

c. 1127

First record of a street of the Jews in London, the first textual evidence of the community.

c. 1136

The Laws of Edward the Confessor proclaim royal authority over England’s Jews, placing them both under the King’s protection and his control.

1158

Avraham ben Ezra, a famous Talmudic scholar visits the London Jewish community.

1177

Henry II grants the right for the Jewish communities of other towns to build their own cemeteries, but that of London remains the largest.

1186

Creation of the Exchequer of Aaron, a government body to deal with the estate of Aaron of Lincoln. This would later become the Exchequer of the Jews, a court that dealt with debts and legal cases involving Jews.

1189

Jews are not allowed to attend the coronation of King Richard I. Nevertheless, some gather outside the Abbey and a riot breaks out. Many are murdered by the mob, including Rabbi Yacov of Orleans, and are later interred in the Jewish burial ground.

1190

Charter for the Protection of the Jews is issued by King Richard I.

1215

Rebel barons seize London and tear down the homes of many Jews, using the stones to repair the City Wall.

1220

London’s Jews shelter in the Tower of London as a precaution during Henry III’s second coronation.

1232

Domus Conversorum is established in London, to encourage the conversion of the Jews to Christianity.

1236

The community again shelters in the Tower as a precaution, this time during the coronation of Eleanor of Provence, Henry’s queen.

1258

Master Elias, son of Master Moses, purchases land to expand London’s Jewish cemetery.

1262

Massacre of 700 Jews and destruction of the synagogue in Lothbury by the citizens of London.

1264

Massacre of much of the Jewish population by Simon de Montfort’s men in April. Many take refuge in the Tower of London.

1267

Rebel baron Gilbert de Clare attacks London. The City’s Jews flee to the Tower and are given part of the walls to defend.

1268

The cemetery expands again by 3,000 square feet under Master Elias.

1269

Jacob the Clerk, brother Elias l’Eveske, adds another 12,500 square feet to the cemetery.

1278

Jews across England are falsely accused of coin-clipping and tried. At least 600 Jews are imprisoned in the Tower. Hundreds are executed and probably buried, under special licence, in the cemetery.

1281

Jurnet son of Abraham is recorded working as a sergeant of the Tower, helping transport bodies to the Jewish cemetery in London for burial.

1282-83

Aaron son of Vives adds 4,500 square feet to the cemetery site.

1289

Cok Hagin, the final archpresbyter of the Jews, adds 10,000 square feet to the cemetery.

1290

On Tisha b’Av, 18 July, Edward I issues the Edict of Expulsion, forcing the entire Jewish population of England to convert or leave the realm by All Saints Day, 1 November. 1451 Jews leave for France from the Tower wharf. Some of the graves at the London cemetery are excavated, the remains removed and taken into exile.

1656

Following a “humble plea” from Manasseh ben Israel, a Sephardi Jew living in Amsterdam, Oliver Cromwell allows Jewish resettlement in London. He also openly acknowledges the existence of Jewish people already living in England.

With thanks to Dr Dean Irwin and Rory MacLellan