Henry III and the Jews: Rex Simplex?

Irwin, Dean

Abstract

This paper was an invited presentation at the University of Reading's Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies Seminar.

This paper considers Henry III's relations with, and treatment of, the Jews of medieval England. It moves away from treating Henry as a rex simplex, who was guided by financial ineptitude and the will of others, towards giving him agency (and accountability) for his own actions. Through a series of case studies (the Statute of the Jewry (1233), the foundation of the domus conversorum, the granting of England's Jews to Lord Edward in 1262, the treatment of the Disinherited, the taxation of England's Jews, and the Little Hugh of Lincoln case) it argues that Henry and his will had a great deal of input during his reign.

Citation

Irwin, D. (2024, February). Henry III and the Jews: Rex Simplex?. Presented at Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies Seminar, University of Reading (online)

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies Seminar
• Conference Location: University of Reading (online)
• Start Date: Feb 8, 2024
• End Date: Feb 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 8, 2024