Gone Medieval The Jews of Norwich
Dec 16, 2025
Dr. Oren Margolis, an expert in Renaissance Studies and Jewish heritage, sheds light on the haunting discovery of a medieval well in Norwich, revealing the remains of 17 Jewish individuals from the 1190 massacre. He discusses the Jewish community's establishment after the Norman Conquest, their roles in finance, and the vulnerabilities they faced due to antisemitism. Margolis explores the implications of the William of Norwich blood libel, the eventual expulsion in 1290, and ongoing efforts to preserve Jewish heritage in modern Norwich.
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Rediscovered Victims In Norwich Well
- A modest memorial in Norwich marks 17 Jewish men, women and children found in a medieval well.
- Their remains were rediscovered in 2004 and given a proper burial in 2013 after over eight centuries in darkness.
Norman Invitation Shaped English Jewry
- Jews arrived in medieval England after the Norman Conquest and were often invited as merchants and financiers.
- Their communities included specialists like ritual slaughterers and supported religious life beyond commerce.
Crown Patronage Made Jews Visible And Vulnerable
- Medieval Jews were excluded from guilds and municipal corporations, so their primary legal relationship was with the crown.
- That crown-protection made them both central to urban economies and vulnerable to political shifts.
