The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom
1000–1500

A comprehensive synthesis of medieval Jewish history between AD 1000 and 1500.

Robert Chazan (Author)

9780521846660, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 November 2006

364 pages, 3 maps
22.2 x 14.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.597 kg

"As a survey of Jewish-Christian relations, this is certainly a good starting point for students." -R. N. Swanson, Sixteenth Century Journal

Between the years AD 1000 and 1500, western Christendom absorbed by conquest and attracted through immigration a growing number of Jews. This community was to make a valuable contribution to rapidly developing European civilisation but was also to suffer some terrible setbacks, culminating in a series of expulsions from the more advanced westerly areas of Europe. At the same time, vigorous new branches of world Jewry emerged and a rich new Jewish cultural legacy was created. In this important historical synthesis, Robert Chazan discusses the Jewish experience over a 500 year period across the entire continent of Europe. As well as being the story of medieval Jewry, the book simultaneously illuminates important aspects of majority life in Europe during this period. This book is essential reading for all students of medieval Jewish history and an important reference for any scholar of medieval Europe.

List of maps
Preface
Introduction
Part I. Prior Legacies: 1. The Muslim legacy
2. The Christian legacy
3. The Jewish legacy
Part II. The Pan-European Roman Catholic Church: 4. Theological doctrine
5. Ecclesiastical policies
6. Imagery of Judaism and the Jews
7. Cultural and spiritual creativity: danger, challenge, stimulus
8. Looking ahead
Part III. The Older Jewries of the South: 9. Southern France
10. Christian Spain
11. Italy and Sicily
Part IV. The Newer Jewries of the North: Northern France: 12. Northern France
13. England
Part V. The Newer Jewries of the North: Germany and Eastern Europe: 14. Germany
15. Eastern Europe
Part VI. Material Challenges, Successes and Failures: 16. Obstacles and attractions
17. The governing authorities
18. Successes
19. The dynamics of deterioration
Part VII. Spiritual Challenges, Successes and Failures: 20. Proselytizing, conversion and resistance
21. Strengthening traditional lines of Jewish cultural creativity
22. Innovative lines of cultural creativity
23. New and creative Jewish culture
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], History of religion [HRAX], Religion: general [HRA], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]