The Massacre of Jews
The most infamous moment in York’s long history took place in 1190.
A small community of Jews had settled in the city in the reign of Henry II. The Christian church at the time frowned on money lending, though not on borrowing, and so some Jews grew wealthy by making loans to local nobles.
Two such men, Josce and Benedict, attended Richard I’s coronation in London. The celebrations were marred by anti-Jewish riots and Benedict later died from his injuries.
Josce returned home but by March 1190, anti-Jewish riots had spread to the provincial towns including York. Jews were attacked, Benedict’s widow was murdered, their houses burned and they fled to the royal castle.
What had begun as frenzied mass hysteria became something altogether more calculating. The mob laid siege to the castle for almost a week, even building a siege engine to attack it.
Inside the keep Rabbi Yomtob of Joigny suggested they take their own lives. Josce took the lead by cutting the throats of his wife and sons. The survivors who surrendered on a promise of safety were murdered as they came out. Perhaps 150 people died altogether.
There was clearly a cold financial aspect in the motivation of some of the conspirators who went to the Minster and burned the bonds that were stored there. This was paperwork that proved the debts owed to the money lenders.
When law and order returned some of the ringleaders fled the country while others were jailed or paid heavy fines.
Although Jews returned to medieval York - there was a community of around 260 in the city in the 13th century - this remains one of the darkest events in the city's history.