HistoryExtra podcast The Clifford’s Tower massacre & medieval anti-Semitism
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Mar 15, 2021 Dean Irwin, a scholar of medieval Anglo-Jewish history, delves into the tragic 1190 Clifford's Tower massacre where around 150 Jews lost their lives amid escalating anti-Semitic violence in England. He links this horrific event to broader patterns of attacks following the coronation of Richard I and discusses how financial exploitation played a crucial role. Irwin also addresses the legal status of Jews as the king's property, the impact of the blood libel, and the eventual path leading to the 1290 expulsion, urging a nuanced understanding of this dark chapter.
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Complete Destruction At Clifford's Tower
- The 1190 Clifford's Tower event killed York's entire Jewish community, mostly by suicide or massacre.
- Attackers then burned records at York Minster to erase debts owed to Jews.
Benedict Of York's Targeted Home
- Benedict of York was a prominent Jewish figure whose house was attacked and plundered after his forced conversion and death.
- His large stone house held wealth and likely triggered attackers seeking valuables.
Royal Absence Fueled Nationwide Violence
- Violence against Jews erupted after Richard I's coronation in September 1189 and spread while he left England.
- Local protections collapsed without strong royal enforcement, enabling attacks across towns like Lincoln and York.