King's Jews: Money, Massacre and Exodus in Medieval England [Hardcover]

Robin R. Mundill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1847251862 | ISBN-13: 978-1847251862

In July 1290, Edward I issued writs to the Sheriffs of the English counties ordering them to enforce a decree to expel all Jews from England before All Saints' Day of that year. England became the first country to expel a Jewish minority from its borders. They were allowed to take their portable property but their houses were confiscated by the king. In a highly readable account, Robin Mundill considers the Jews of medieval England as victims of violence (notably the massacre of Shabbat haGadol when York's Jewish community perished at Clifford's Tower) and as a people apart, isolated amidst a hostile environment. The origins of the business world are considered including the fact that the medieval English Jew perfected modern business methods many centuries before its recognised time. What emerges is a picture of a lost society which had much to contribute and yet was turned away in 1290.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the author of the acclaimed book on the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 we now have a lively account of the Jews of medieval England. From now on no one will have any excuse for not including Jews as an integral part of the history of Norman and Angevin England.

(Dr Anna Sapir Abulafia, University of Cambridge )

The history of medieval English Jews was well-served by earlier scholars, but as more and more evidence has been sifted and as technical scholarship has blossomed over the last several decades, it also became clear that there was a pressing need for a comprehensive new synthesis.

With Robin Mundill's eminently readable book this need is addressed head on. The arguments he offers and the insights he provides into the relations of Jews and Christians in medieval England will be the ones the next generation of scholars will have to engage if they are to make further progress on this exciting subject. Mundill's accomplishment is commendable, and his work will constitute a powerful stimulus to further research.

(William Chester Jordan, Dayton-Stockton Professor of History, Princeton University. )

Robin Mundill's new book is a very welcome addition to the all-too-short shelf of books dealing with the Jews of medieval England. It reflects Mundill's enviable familiarity with the manuscript and secondary sources, which he weaves into a praiseworthy overview of his subject, and presents a readable picture of how Jews lived in a medieval Christian milieu.

(Dr Zefira Entin Rokéah, Jerusalem )

Mention in Times Higher Education.

It is a sad and sorry tale but is well worth the retelling. There is no better guide than Robin Mundill ... It is a fascinating chapter in English history and Mundill does it full justice.

(The Tablet )

'[A] fascinating vision of the Middle Ages ... lively and engaging.' (Church Times )

'Mr Mundill gives us a good survey based on a mastery of surviving records.'

(Contemporary Review )

'The author, who is well versed in both the primary and secondary sources of his subject, writes interestingly about the Jewish population... Overall, this is a useful book.'

(History )

'The King's Jews is written with verve and enthusiasm, clarity and balance. It provides an excellent starting-point for those wishing to understand not only the factual, historical details of the Jew's lives, but also the complicated, intricate relationship they had with the communities from whom they would ultimately be expelled.'

(History Today )

From the author of the acclaimed book on the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 we now have a lively account of the Jews of medieval England. From now on no one will have any excuse for not including Jews as an integral part of the history of Norman and Angevin England.

(, )

The history of medieval English Jews was well-served by earlier scholars, but as more and more evidence has been sifted and as technical scholarship has blossomed over the last several decades, it also became clear that there was a pressing need for a comprehensive new synthesis.

With Robin Mundill's eminently readable book this need is addressed head on. The arguments he offers and the insights he provides into the relations of Jews and Christians in medieval England will be the ones the next generation of scholars will have to engage if they are to make further progress on this exciting subject. Mundill's accomplishment is commendable, and his work will constitute a powerful stimulus to further research.

(, )

Robin Mundill's new book is a very welcome addition to the all-too-short shelf of books dealing with the Jews of medieval England. It reflects Mundill's enviable familiarity with the manuscript and secondary sources, which he weaves into a praiseworthy overview of his subject, and presents a readable picture of how Jews lived in a medieval Christian milieu.

(, )

It is a sad and sorry tale but is well worth the retelling. There is no better guide than Robin Mundill … It is a fascinating chapter in English history and Mundill does it full justice.

(, )

'Mr Mundill gives us a good survey based on a mastery of surviving records.’

(, )

'The author, who is well versed in both the primary and secondary sources of his subject, writes interestingly about the Jewish population… Overall, this is a useful book.’

(, )

'The King’s Jews is written with verve and enthusiasm, clarity and balance. It provides an excellent starting-point for those wishing to understand not only the factual, historical details of the Jew’s lives, but also the complicated, intricate relationship they had with the communities from whom they would ultimately be expelled.’

(, )

About the Author

Dr Robin R Mundill is Honorary Research Fellow at the School of History at the University of St Andrews and Head of History at Glenalmond College, Perth. He is a member of the Jewish Historical Society of England. An expert on the Jews of medieval England, he has written books and articles on the subject, and contributed to radio and television documentaries for the BBC and German broadcasters.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (August 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847251862
• ISBN-13: 978-1847251862
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,176,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, October 18, 2011

By 

elliott ashkenazi - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King's Jews: Money, Massacre and Exodus in Medieval England (Hardcover)

The book review presented more than enough information to inform me as to my my purchase. The "look inside me" allowed me to know what I was purchasing. Delivery presented no problems.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mundill knows his stuff!, May 29, 2011

By 

Bob "Bob" (Robertsville, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King's Jews: Money, Massacre and Exodus in Medieval England (Hardcover)

Dr. Mundill really knows his subject. Anyone with an interest in Medieval history and/or Jewish history MUST read this book!