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York's blackest day |
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Blackest Day
During the 35 years of Henry II's reign (1154-1189), Jews were encouraged by the king to settle in England?s towns. They enjoyed Royal protection, but were legitimate and lucrative targets for Crown taxation. The Jews were in a precarious position, on the fringe of society and practitioners of the essential but unpopular trade of usury (money-lending). Their fragile existence was disturbed by the succession of Henry II by his son Richard and a surge in anti-Semitic feelings across the country.
Though forbidden to attend Richard I's coronation in 1189, two of York's most prominent Jews, Jocenus and Benedict, did present themselves laden with gifts for the king. The bold statement was interpreted as an insult by the crowd at Westminster, who proceeded to riot and attack London's Jews. Although Jocenus, returned to York safely, Benedict died of his injuries at Northampton, after enduring forced baptism. 
Clifford's Tower, the site of the 1190 massacre
© Courtesy of Ian Britton, freefoto.com |
Six months after his death, a mob ransacked Benedict's house in York, murdering his widow and children. Fearing for his family's safety, Jocenus sought protection in York Castle. The rest of the city's Jewish inhabitants followed and for several days the group remained safe inside the castle walls. As days passed, the castle became a place of captivity rather than refuge.
The county militia arrived to eject the Jews by force at the request of the castle constable. The mob surrounding the castle believed the green light had been given and proceeded to attack. On the night of Friday 16th March, the Jewish feast of Shabbat ha-Gadol, the Jews had exhausted their reserve and feared the mob would soon succeed in entering the castle.
Rabbi Yomtob of Joigney called upon the community to commit suicide rather than be murdered or baptised. Many followed his advice. The father of each family killed the women and children of his household. The Rabbi then took his own knife to those who remained before killing himself. The Jews determined to take their chances with those outside were greeted in the morning with false promises of mercy. On leaving the castle, they were killed by the crowd outside.
A fire inside the castle burned the bodies of those Jews who died in the mass-suicide. On excavating the site in 1902-03, uncovered charred timbers were discovered 12 feet below the surface - a chilling memorial to those who perished.
The massacre wiped out the city's entire Jewish population, estimated at 150 men, women and children. The mob then proceeded to York Minster to destroy the bonds documenting the amounts owed to the Jews. On news of the massacre, Richard I sent instructions for punishment, but all that resulted was a fine and a number of dismissals.
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