Jewish Life in 1501-1600

Readmission and Recognition

Mar 27, 1500

After the end of the 15th century, there is evidence of Jews in England. Under Henry VIII and Edward VI, numbers of Jewish people that claimed they converted to Christianity worshiped secretly as Jews in London. (Schoenburg) (Expulsion of Jewish People)

Jews in England

Period: Jan 1, 1501 to Jan 1, 1600

Lisbon Massacre

Apr 19, 1506

In an effort to have Christianity be the universal religion of Portugal, Manuel I attempted to convert all Jews to Christianity; however, not all would comply. In 1497, a law was decreed by Manuel I that stated that all Jews residing in Portugal must either convert to Christianity,become New Christians, or flee to Venice. The Christians and Jews didnt live completely in peace, and there was a pogrom in April 1506 and ended in the death of thousands of Jews.(Mateus, Susana, and Paulo)

Ghettos

Mar 26, 1516

From 1500 on, the Jews led an isolated lifestyle. This isolation began out of commercial rivalry, and Jews were forced to move into a district called the ghettos. These ghettos spread through Italy and then through all of Europe.(Mosse) (Jews forced to wear the star of David)

The Protector

Mar 26, 1520

He was known to be generally protective of the Jews. In 1520 he refrained from demanding the customary coronation tax. In 1530 Charles V reconfirmed the privileges he had granted to the Jews and defended them.(Ebirnbaum) (Charles V)

The Creation of Jewish Theology

Jan 1, 1534

Isaac Luria developed Judaism's some influential mystical theologies. According to Luria, religious ritual fixes divine vessels that shattered during the process of the world's creation. Luria's school of mysticism in Safed attracted many devoted followers who were anxious to study. Lurianic mysticism spread quickly and became a central of Jewish idea.(My Jewish Library) (The Kabbalist Isaac Luria)

Detaching

Mar 27, 1536

Henry VIII used Jewish scholars to justify his divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to Anne Boleyn.(Schoenburg) (Holbein,Hans)

A New Beginning

Jun 1, 1550

This is when the Middle Ages ended and the Englightenment Age began, according to some scholars. To European Jews, the Englightenment is called Haskalah in which the ultimate goal was integration into society and educational advancements.(Schoenburg) (Congregation Am Haskalah)

Men's Facial Hair

Mar 1, 1555

They had to grow breads so that they could be more easily distinguishable from non-Jews.(Jewish Encyclopedia)(Stanfield, James L.)

Jewish Attire

Mar 27, 1555

All Jews had to wear a blue badge of color in the shape of the Greek letter T. Women had to wear gold circles on their chests. (Jewish Encyclopedia) (UCO Sigma Kappa)

Reign of Elizabeth

Mar 27, 1558

Under Queen Elizabeth I's rule the first Marranos were officially allowed to enter England as Christians.(Schoenburg) (Teerlinc, Levina)

Lending Jews a Helping Hand

Mar 26, 1564

Founded his own form of Protestantism which led to Puritanism in England. Calvinism spread and helped establish a refuge for Jews. Calvin placed unusual emphasis on the Old Testament and the Ten Commandments.(Ebirnbaum) (The Origins of Calvinism)

Important Jewish Code

Jan 1, 1565

Rabbi Joseph Caro wrote a code of law, the Shulhan Arukh, showcasing the Talmud's laws. Still found in todays society, Shulhan Arkuh is one of the most important codes in Jewish law.(My Jewish Library)(Joseph Caro)

The Limitations Of Jews

Mar 26, 1566

Three months into his reign, Pope Pius V rejects Pope Pius IV leniency towards Jews and reinstates the restrictions of Pope Paul IV which forced Jews to wear a special cap, forbade them from owning real estate or practicing medicine on Christians. It also limited Jewish communities to only one synagogue.(Schoenburg)(Pope Pius V)

Jewish Settelers

Jan 1, 1569

Brest Litovsk welcomes Jewish settlement. In 80 years the Jewish population surges from 4,000 to more than 50,000.(Carr)(Glassman)

Blaming The Jews

Mar 27, 1571

After the war the Jews were blamed and expultion threats were made against the Jews.(History of England)(Expulsion of Jews)

Conquer and Defeat

Jan 1, 1588

England defeats the Spanish Armada, weakening Spain and decreasing the reach of the Inquisition, espcially in the Netherlands.(My Jewish Library)(Spanish Armada)

The Jew of Malta

Apr 27, 1589

Christopher Marlowe's play the Jew of Malta was performed.(Schoenburg)(Jew of Malta)

Watching Them Burn

Mar 26, 1590

Built of wood, the entire Jewish quarter of Posen burned while then gentile population watched and pillaged. 15 people died and 80 Torah scrolls were burned.(Mosse)(Burning House)

The Royal Physician

Jan 1, 1593

Queen Elizabeth I's physician Roderigo Lopez was accused of trying to poison her. Lopez, allegedly in league with the King of Spain, was convicted of treason, hung, and drawn and quartered in 1594. His was a very public execution, and the fact that he was a Marrano led to an outbreak of anti-Jewish sentiment in the country. It was a clear but unfortunate sign that there was a latent anti-Semitism within the English public. (Schoenburg)(Carlton)

The Merchant Of Venice

Mar 26, 1597

William Shakespears famous play about a Jewish moneylender, The Merchant of Venice, was first acted out in 1597.(Schoenburg) (Heyden, Peiter van der)