Charles II, by the grace of God king of Jerusalem and Sicily, prince of Achaea, count of Anjou, Maine and Forcalquier, sends greetings to all who shall see these present letters.

By this letter we make known to everyone that we have considered the wise warning of sacred authority: a mouse, viper or serpent kept in one’s lap, or a fire held against one’s breast, commonly repays its host with injury.

After carefully investigating the condition of the counties of Anjou and Maine, which by divine will are subject to our authority, we have found them burdened by many offenses hateful to God and contrary to the Christian faith.

In many places throughout these lands, numerous Jews, enemies of the life-giving Cross and of Christianity, live openly and without separation among Christians. Turning away from the path of truth, they treacherously lead astray many men and women who are considered followers of the Christian faith. They appear to corrupt everyone they can.

Through deceitful practices and the endless abyss of usury, they strip these Christians of their movable and immovable possessions, reducing them to the need to beg for alms. Most horrible of all, they are accused of having relations with Christian women.

Since it is our duty to cleanse the territories entrusted to us of such evils, we have been moved by compassion. After consulting the reverend bishops and many other clergy, barons, nobles and prudent men of our counties, and acting with God’s approval, we have decided to place spiritual welfare before temporal profit.

For the honor of God, in zeal for the life-giving Cross and for the peace of these territories, we have expelled from our counties of Anjou and Maine all Jews, male and female, old and young, including children and infants, whatever their sex or condition.

We have decreed that they shall be expelled completely and permanently. We shall never again allow them to return to our counties or to live there.

So that the sincerity of our intention may be even clearer, we also order the expulsion of all Lombards, Cahorsins and other foreign moneylenders who openly practice usury in these territories. They must leave our lands and may never return unless they have received our special authorization.

Local lords may take possession of the goods belonging to these foreign usurers within their jurisdictions. They must, however, obey any instructions issued by us or by our officers concerning such property.

We recognize that the departure of the Jews and foreign moneylenders will cause us a considerable loss of income. The prelates, barons, nobles, towns and other inhabitants of Anjou and Maine have therefore agreed to provide us with financial compensation.

For this purpose, an assessment shall be levied upon the inhabitants of our counties in accordance with the arrangements made by our officers and the representatives of the country. The money shall compensate us for the revenues that we surrender by removing the Jews and other moneylenders.

We command all our seneschals, judges, officials and faithful subjects in Anjou and Maine to observe this decree and ensure that it is faithfully enforced. No one may obstruct the expulsion or permit any of those expelled to remain or return.

In testimony of these things, we have ordered our seal to be attached to the present letters.

Given at Angers on December 8, 1289.