One of the darkest moments in medieval English history occurred in the city of York in 1190, when an entire Jewish community was attacked and many of its members were brutally killed in what is now known as the massacre at Clifford’s Tower. This tragic event stands as a stark reminder of the widespread anti-Jewish sentiment that permeated medieval Europe. The massacre did not happen in isolation—it was the culmination of decades of religious intolerance, economic resentment, and political instability, and it reflects the broader pattern of anti-Jewish persecution in medieval England.

Jewish Life in Medieval England

Jews arrived in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066, invited by William the Conqueror. As Christians were forbidden by the Church to lend money at interest—a practice known as usury—Jews were encouraged to fill this economic role, which became vital for the crown and the nobility. However, this role as financiers also made them vulnerable.

While Jews in England enjoyed royal protection, they were also classified as servants of the royal chamber (servi camerae regis), meaning that they were the property of the king. They paid taxes directly to the crown and were occasionally shielded from mob violence by royal forces. But their unusual legal status also placed them at the mercy of the monarch’s whims and exposed them to exploitation and scapegoating.

Throughout the 12th century, Jews faced increasing hostility, fueled by religious prejudice and economic resentment. They were accused of “usury,” blamed for natural disasters and famines, and were the subject of horrific myths such as blood libel—the false accusation that Jews kidnapped and murdered Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals shutdown123