This is just to second Tom Izbiki's statement that
> that laws often are not enforced. The actual situation of the Jews in
> any kingdom or region has to be investigated from local sources.
And in addition to Gary Dickson's posting: The 11th Cent. bishop's
charter for a Jewish community was granted by Bishop Rudiger Huozman
of Speyer (not Mainz), in 1184. English translations of this charter
and of a related Hebrew report are to be found in Robert Chazan,
*Church, State and Jew in the Middle Ages* (1980), pp. 58-59. The
charter is extremely important, as it was renewed by King Henry IV in
1090, and with variations by bishops and kings right through the 15th
century. There can be no doubt that the local Jews had some influence
on its formulation. Only later, restrictive elements were also
included.
May I also add that it was not my intention to portray the history of
Christian-Jewish relations in the MA as through 'pink glasses' (as we
say in German). Over the next years, we will have ample opportunity
to remind ourselves of what happened 650 years ago, at the time of
the Black Death. - However, the idea that Jewish history in the
Diaspora was a constant nightmare is equally wrong. As always,
generalizations are unhelpful.
Have a nice weekend, and Shabbat Shalom!
Christoph
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|