JEWS, EXPULSION OF THE

1290. The Jews in Britain, most of whom arrived during the 11c from France, had long acted as bankers to the ruling and business classes (being permitted to lend money at interest whereas Christians were not). In Henry III's reign, the Jews had provided the king with much needed finance. However, in 1275, a statute was issued by Edward I forbidding this practice. He had developed a new system of banking using Italian cash advances by 1275 and no longer needed to protect the Jews. Strong anti-Semitic feeling continued, many Jews being made scapegoats for England's difficulties. In 1287, Edward imprisoned and ransomed 3,000 of their number. The ransom was paid, but in 1290 an edict was issued expelling all Jews from England. -

Cf.Bardi; Usury