The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom

Part of a series of introductions to important topics in medieval history, aimed primarily at advanced students and faculty. Follows the dynamics of medieval Christian-Jewish relations in various countries, focusing on France, Spain, and Germany. Discusses the changing image of the Jew and its basically deleterious effects. Relates the roles played by the different classes: the nobility protected the Jews when it was in their interests, but exploited them, often through taxation and sometimes by expelling them and collecting the debts owed to Jews; the clergy (especially the higher clergy, including popes) often tried to protect the Jews; the masses, as the most fanatic Jew-haters, influenced the other classes. Follows the decline of various Jewish communities, with attention given to the role of economic factors. Deals with various forms of persecution - e.g. the Crusades, blood libels, anti-Jewish polemics, forced conversions, pogroms, expulsions - and Jewish reactions to them. Notes positive aspects of Jewish-Christian interaction, such as Jewish cultural creativity in response to the spiritual and intellectual challenges of the majority culture. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)