> From: [log in to unmask] [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>
> I was thinking that the Byzantine monks, if they indeed fled to Ireland,
> had
> to cross western Europe to do this, and must have regarded it as
> worthwhile.
>
A lot of people thought Ireland was worth going to for education and
medieval Irish trade and communication with the Mediterranean tends to be
underestimated. What makes you think Byzantine monks in particular went
there, beyond the similarity in artistic style and when exactly would they
have gone there?
> As you seem to know the literature, what exactly does it say about where
> the
> Jews went after being expelled from England? If the question isn't asked
> or
> isn't answered, do you think Ireland would have been more tolerant or less
>
> tolerant towards non-Christians (Jews and Saracens) than, say, France or
> Germany at the time? Also, since you seem pretty certain that the
> earliest
> arrival of Jews in England would not have been after the expuslion from
> England, what's your alternate date for their arrival? Later, I presume.
> But
> when?
>
Perhaps you read more into a simple disclaimer than was intended?
All I intended to say was that I didn't know of any evidence--for or
against. I certainly didn't say anything one way or the other about "the
earliest arrival of Jews in England would not have been after the expulsion
from England."
As far as whether or not any Irish groups would have been more
hospitable to Jewish exiles than other countries, I think the first thing to
keep in mind is that there was no united rule of Ireland and the tribal
leaders often did pretty much what they wanted and were often at odds with
their neighbors. Therefore, I imagine it would depend in part on what a
specific group's relationship with the English crown was at that time--"The
enemy of my enemy is my friend"--and how apt a tribal leader was to follow
the dictates of the local bishop. But as I said, I don't recall any
specific evidence--for or against.
Francine Nicholson
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|