English Convivencia: Aspects of Christian-Jewish cooperation in Medieval England, 1189--1290.

摘要

The history of Jews in medieval England has been studied since the late nineteenth century, but most historians have focused either on the legal structures which governed the relationship between Jews and the English king, or on the negative aspects of the relationship between Jews and their Christian neighbors, especially focusing on the allegations of ritual murder and the violent attacks on Jewish communities."English Convivencia" contributes to the body of work already completed by exploring the more positive, cooperative aspects of Jewish-Christian interaction which have been long neglected. This dissertation shows that for long periods medieval English Jews and Christians lived and worked together amicably. Christians and Jews not only lived in the same neighborhoods, they were in and out of each other's homes. Christians worked as servants in Jewish homes Jewish women were hired as wet nurses by Christian families Christians came to the homes of Jewish lenders to negotiate loans. Not only did Jews and Christians engage in the bargaining process so essential in the buying and selling of goods in local markets, they worked together both within the English legal system and outside of it. In dangerous times, Jews turned to their Christian neighbors in attempts to safeguard their possessions or for help in arranging transport to safety for their families.Finally, in the business world, having negotiated loans or pawning goods for small sums, Christians and Jews then conferred together to reach compromises regarding outstanding loans. They sometimes assisted each other in court, although litigation is typically confrontational. Even outside the law, Jews and Christians banded together in criminal activity, combining forces to commit crimes or to dispose of stolen goods.In sum, "English Convivencia" proves that members of two religious groups often worked together in medieval English neighborhoods, in the local market places, in business, and in the courts of the realm to achieve acceptable solutions to the issues of daily life. Opposed by leaders of church and synagogue, medieval English Jews and Christians cooperated.