JEWS IN LATIN CHRISTENDOM 1000-1300
CONTEXT AND EARLY JEWISH SET TLEMENT:
- Officially, the Church disapproved of forced conversions
- Jews were proof of the Christian Bible stories.
- Charlemagne appointed Jews at court. They managed to sustain trade with the Mediterranean and the East.
- Jewish communities spread across modern-day France, Germany and northern Italy. There had been only 10
Jewish settlements in Germany at the time of the First Crusade (1096-99); this grew to ~500 in 1300 AD.
INSTITUTIONALISATION OF THE CHURCH:
- Becoming increasingly hierarchical: Greater definition of doctrine and ritual; greater care for legal and
administrative concerns increased the exclusion of those who didn't accept Church guidance.
CHRISTIANISATION OF REASON
- Jews barred from salvation but also less human, according to logic.
- Rejection of Christian doctrine = a rejection of reason.
- Jews were seen as less than human
11TH AND 12TH CENTURIES - ATTEMPTS BY CHURCH T O CENTRALISE POWER:
- Jews labelled as outcasts. - Created 'in' and 'out' groups. - Persecution of Jews as a way for Church to
maintain power and authority.
- 1179 - Third Lateran Council - Jews subordinate to Christians
- Jews cannot hold a position of authority
- Cannot have (sexual) relationships with Jews
13TH CENTURY
- Fourth Lateran Council (1215) - Papal Bull, authorised by Innocent III, orders all Jews to wear an
embroidered badge or motif in Christian countries
- 'Canon 69' - forbade 'that Jews be given preferment in public office since this offers them the pretext
to vent their wrath against the Christians.'
- 'Canon 69' - assumes that Jews blaspheme Christ; and it would be 'absurd' for them to 'exercise
power over Christians.'
- 1239 - Pope Gregory IX - all Jewish religious texts to be surrendered/confiscated and publicly burnt
CHURCH TEACHINGS, CANON LAW AND PAPAL POLICY:
- The Church recognised the closeness of Christianity and Judaism - a sense of integration/inclusivity.
- 1179 - Pope instructed that the Jews were not to be deprived of land, money or goods without
judgement. Ceremonies not to be ruined, and cemeteries not to be invaded/violated.
- Meant Jews relied on the Christian Church for protection - possibility for coercion.
- Despite protection, hostility towards Jews was deeply rooted in Christian teaching and practice.
CHURCH SCRIPTURE:
- Depicts Jews as devil associates.
- Diabolic pact; supernatural powers which could destroy Christianity.
CONTEXT AND EARLY JEWISH SET TLEMENT:
- Officially, the Church disapproved of forced conversions
- Jews were proof of the Christian Bible stories.
- Charlemagne appointed Jews at court. They managed to sustain trade with the Mediterranean and the East.
- Jewish communities spread across modern-day France, Germany and northern Italy. There had been only 10
Jewish settlements in Germany at the time of the First Crusade (1096-99); this grew to ~500 in 1300 AD.
INSTITUTIONALISATION OF THE CHURCH:
- Becoming increasingly hierarchical: Greater definition of doctrine and ritual; greater care for legal and
administrative concerns increased the exclusion of those who didn't accept Church guidance.
CHRISTIANISATION OF REASON
- Jews barred from salvation but also less human, according to logic.
- Rejection of Christian doctrine = a rejection of reason.
- Jews were seen as less than human
11TH AND 12TH CENTURIES - ATTEMPTS BY CHURCH T O CENTRALISE POWER:
- Jews labelled as outcasts. - Created 'in' and 'out' groups. - Persecution of Jews as a way for Church to
maintain power and authority.
- 1179 - Third Lateran Council - Jews subordinate to Christians
- Jews cannot hold a position of authority
- Cannot have (sexual) relationships with Jews
13TH CENTURY
- Fourth Lateran Council (1215) - Papal Bull, authorised by Innocent III, orders all Jews to wear an
embroidered badge or motif in Christian countries
- 'Canon 69' - forbade 'that Jews be given preferment in public office since this offers them the pretext
to vent their wrath against the Christians.'
- 'Canon 69' - assumes that Jews blaspheme Christ; and it would be 'absurd' for them to 'exercise
power over Christians.'
- 1239 - Pope Gregory IX - all Jewish religious texts to be surrendered/confiscated and publicly burnt
CHURCH TEACHINGS, CANON LAW AND PAPAL POLICY:
- The Church recognised the closeness of Christianity and Judaism - a sense of integration/inclusivity.
- 1179 - Pope instructed that the Jews were not to be deprived of land, money or goods without
judgement. Ceremonies not to be ruined, and cemeteries not to be invaded/violated.
- Meant Jews relied on the Christian Church for protection - possibility for coercion.
- Despite protection, hostility towards Jews was deeply rooted in Christian teaching and practice.
CHURCH SCRIPTURE:
- Depicts Jews as devil associates.
- Diabolic pact; supernatural powers which could destroy Christianity.
