Medieval Christendom

Peter the Hermit Leading Knights and Pilgrims, 1096
By September 22, 2016 Read More →

Peter the Hermit Leading Knights and Pilgrims, 1096

Peter the Hermit started his Crusade (with 40,000 men and women) in Cologne in April, 1096, and arrived (with 30,000 men and women) at Constantinople at the end of July.

Posted in: Popular Violence
What caused the virulent anti-Semitism of medieval Western Christendom?
By September 22, 2016 Read More →

What caused the virulent anti-Semitism of medieval Western Christendom?

The combination of “Jews have a right to live but they really are a terrible group of people” results in a lot of popular violence. Prof. Robert Chazan. Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS.

Posted in: Popular Violence
Map of Expulsions from Europe
By September 20, 2016 Read More →

Map of Expulsions from Europe

Expulsions of Jews in Europe from 1100 to 1600

How did European cities develop during the medieval period?
By September 20, 2016 Read More →

How did European cities develop during the medieval period?

When we talk of Medieval Western Christendom, we are talking about the areas of Europe which were under control of the Roman Catholic Church. These areas were distinctively backward as compared to the Islamic world. Prof. Robert Chazan. Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS

Jews in Medieval Spain – Overview
By September 12, 2016 Read More →

Jews in Medieval Spain – Overview

The community in medieval Spain was incredibly diverse and rich, including internal tensions inside the community. Abby Kornfeld, CUNY, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS

Are the stereotypes of medieval Jewry accurate?
By September 11, 2016 Read More →

Are the stereotypes of medieval Jewry accurate?

There are two different ways of conceptualizing Jewish medieval life: one is oppression and the other is great piety. But there are real people living in the space between those poles. Abby Kornfeld. Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS

Medieval Spanish Haggadah
By September 11, 2016 Read More →

Medieval Spanish Haggadah

The haggadah only became a distinct manuscript in the 13th century, both in Spain and in Germany and France. Abby Kornfeld, CUNY, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS

Images in the Medieval Haggadah
By September 11, 2016 Read More →

Images in the Medieval Haggadah

There was a wide range of images in medieval haggadot, from biblical scenes to depictions of seders to fanciful creatures. Abby Kornfeld, CUNY, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS

Moneylenders: How did art form public opinion in the medieval period?
By September 11, 2016 Read More →

Moneylenders: How did art form public opinion in the medieval period?

In many ways, thanks to Shylock, we have this idea that medieval Jews were moneylenders. Images of Jews as moneylenders show the harms and issues around moneylending in medieval culture. Abby Kornfeld, CUNY. Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS.

Clifford’s Tower, York
By August 29, 2016 Read More →

Clifford’s Tower, York

At the foot of Clifford’s Tower a plaque marks the darkest chapter in the history of York’s Jewish community. On March 16th 1190 a wave of anti-Semitic riots culminated in the massacre of an estimated 150 Jews – the entire Jewish community of York – who had taken refuge in the royal castle where Clifford’s […]

Posted in: Popular Violence