Jewish Resentment

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Prior to the Second Plague Pandemic, Jews were hated and resented. This was mostly due to the belief by Catholics and Protestants of the Jews being responsible for the death of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jews were seen as blind, hard-hearted, and evil for remaining wit their faith. Jews were forbidden to attend any Universities.

Jews were generally Doctors or Money Lenders. Christians were suspicious of doctors and distrusting of money lenders.

Over time, there were myths built up about Jewish customs that were unfounded. Such as Germany believing that Jewish men menstruate as women do, that their matzo bread was made with human blood, and that they captured Christian children so they could cook and eat them.

As the plague swept across Europe in the mid-14th century, annihilating nearly half the population, Jews were taken as scapegoats, in part because better hygiene among Jewish communities and isolation in the ghettos meant in some places that Jews were less affected. Accusations spread that Jews had caused the disease by deliberately poisoning wells.

During the time of the plague, the Catholic Church urged citizens not to hurt the Jews. Monarchs, Nobles, and City Patricians opposed Anti-Jewish mob violence, though this was more for maintaining order rather than helping a minority.

In 1290, King Edward I banished Jews from England.

In 1306, King Philip IV of France arrested and seized the property of the Jews.

Charles IV forbade anti-Jewish violence but granted immunity to the attackers and raided the spoils from destroyed communities

Related Death[edit | edit source]

1348[edit | edit source]

April[edit | edit source]

Toulon, France - Jewish quarter was sacked, and forty Jews were murdered in their sleep. Corpses were dragged to the streets and violated.

September[edit | edit source]

21: Bern, Chillon, Zurich - Castle of Chillon on Lake Geneva, Jews under torture admitted to being given poison to place in wells around Venice.

1349[edit | edit source]

January[edit | edit source]

9 - 16: Basel, Switzerland - The Guilds brought up charges against the Jews accusing them of poisoning the wells. Despite an attempted defense by the town council, 600 Jews together with the rabbi were burned to death. One hundred and forty children were taken from their parents and forcible baptized. The victims were left unburied, the cemetery destroyed and the synagogue turned into a church. The remaining Jews were expelled and not readmitted until 1869.

February[edit | edit source]

14: Strasbourg, Germany (now France) - Earlier that month, a riot ensued in the town after corn prices fell. The Jews were accused of a conspiracy. The mayor and some members of the city council had voted against the action and were removed from office by the tradesmen. The entire Jewish population (2000) was dragged to the cemetery and burned to death. Only those who accepted Christianity were allowed to live. The new council voted that Jews could not return for 100 years and their property and possessions were divided amongst the burghers. Within six months Emperor Charles IV pardoned the town council for the murders. Twenty years later, Jews were re-admitted.

March[edit | edit source]

1: Worms, Germany - Riots broke out in the town. Many Jews fled to Heidelberg, others in desperation set fire to their homes or were murdered. An estimated 420 people died that day. Their property was seized by the town.

21: Erfurt, Germany - After a mob marched into the Jewish quarter carrying a flag with a cross, the Jews tried to defend themselves. Over a hundred Jews were killed and much of the ghetto burned. Death varies from 100 - 3000. Some Jews set fire to their homes and possessions and perished in the flames before they could be lynched.

May[edit | edit source]

Jewish communities in Carcassonne, Narbonne, and La Baume were slaughtered

17: Barcelona Jewish Quarters plundered

August[edit | edit source]

23: Cologne, Germany - As the riots began, many of the residents took shelter in the synagogue. When it was attacked as well, the Jews inside set fire to it rather then be taken by the mob outside. Most of those who had not taken refuge in the synagogue were also murdered. Their property was confiscated by the Church, with the municipality and the Count of Juelich each fighting over their share.

24: Mayence, Germany & Breslau, Germany - After a mob marched into the Jewish quarter of Mayence carrying a flag with a cross, three hundred young Jews tried to defend themselves. Although as many as 200 of the attackers were killed, they soon overcame the defenders. Rather then be converted, the Jews set their houses on fire. 6,000 Jews died and another 4,000 died in Breslau.