Medieval laws and edicts…contd..

 

   A  SURVEY OF SOME OF THE MORE SEVERE LAWS,-

    THE  BREVIARY OF ALARCIC 11 ( the Visigoth),i.e. a church’s summary,etc.  

    Intermarriage between Jews and Christians was treated as adultery. Jews were not allowed to build new synagogues; if some were built, they were to be handed over to the Catholic authorities, Jews were not allowed to set their own market prices. If a Christian slave was circumcised, the Jewish owner was to be executed, and the slave set free.

THE LAWS OF CHARLEMAGNE,- 814. – A  SELECTION ONLY.

A Jew was allowed to “have money in the house”, or to sell wine, corn or other produce. If a Jew was engaged in a case against a Christian he had to submit to trial by ordeal, either by swearing upon a reliquary, or by holding a red hot iron. If a Jew was convicted of an offence against a Christian he had to be condemned to drowning in a sack.

THE  LAWS OF  ARCADIUS,-397.

    Jews may not become Christians for economic reasons; they are to adopt Roman laws, except for religious cases. Their synagogues are to be protected.

A  LAW OF THEODOSIUS ,11 – DATED  415.

   The Jewish Patriarch  in Jerusalem was abolished.

LAWS OF THE VISIGOTHS,- EXAMPLES ..-

  Christian teachings are not to be criticised; Jewish feasts are not to be observed; a prohibition of circumcision,food distinctions, or of legal action against Christians; law-breakers to be stoned to death or enslaved.( By decree of Recceswinth,652)

  All Jews must submit to baptism, and their books and teachings to be suppressed.(By decree of Erwig,680.)

COUNCIL DECISIONS OF THE VISIGOTHS.

    Unconverted Jews are not allowed to trade, and Jews must surrender property gained from Christians ( at Toledo xv1 in 693)

Because the Jews were accused of a plot against Spanish security by an alliance with a king in N.Africa, all Jewish property was confiscated, and all Jews except those of Septimania, were reduced to slavery; all Jewish rites and practices were banned, and all Jewish children over 7 years of age were to be reared as Christians. ( By order of the council in Toledo XV11, –694.)

THE  CANONS OF CARTHAGE.

   Jews, heathens and heretics are allowed access to parts of Christian worship services; but Jewish practices are to be suppressed. Jews are not allowed to give evidence in court.

   MANY  OTHER COUNCILS ( e.g. Chalcedon, Trullanum, Nicea) promulgated a variety of restrictions, but some rights were granted to Jews.

  END OF THE SURVEY OF SOME MEDIEVAL LAWS AND EDICTS.