In a message dated 9-30-1999 6:48:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Pat Sloane mentioned a possible history of Jews in Ireland. I am very
> interested in this topic as it pertains to medieval Ireland, but so far
have
> not found one reference to them there (apart from Noah's progeny in Lebor
> Gabála Érenn). If anyone knows of a source that treats the subject, I
would
> greatly apreciate the reference.
>
> Maeve
>
>
Well, there's always James Joyce's Ulysses, although I'm sure you want
something earlier.
My understanding is that the Jews arrived in England after the Norman
Conquest (1066). They were expelled in 1290, so one question is whether some
of the Jews expelled from England went to Ireland. Maybe it was regarded,
for whatever reason, as a place of refuge. In Irish art, c. 600, there's a
definite Byzantine influence intermingled with the Celtic forms. It's
suposed to have come from Byzantine monks who fled from Muslim encroachments.
If true, it's interesting that they felt more comfortable in Ireland than on
the Continent.
pat
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