Bishop of Speyer When First

Bishop of Speyer

When first hearing about the decree made by the Bishop of Speyer made in 1084 that offers a place "out of town" for the Jews, it sounds relatively harmless if not positive. However, it is necessary to understand what is occurring behind the scenes that makes this a negative and harmful "gift and concession."

The Bishop of Speyer says that he will bring in the Jews and place them outside the town away from the rest of the citizens and surrounded by a wall. This will be given to them on the condition that they pay 3 1/2 pounds every year. In addition, they have "full power to change silver and gold and to buy and sell what they please" and a cemetery with rights of inheritance. They can sell slaughtered meat, which they cannot eat, to Christians. This Jewish group will also have its own law, with the Rabbi hearing cases between Jews or against them. "But if by chance he is unable to decide any of them they shall go to the bishop or his chamberlain." They need to guard their own area. Lastly, they have the same privileges as other Jews in Germany.

Declarations such as this were not unusual throughout the Middle Ages, due to the restrictions made by the Church on what their parishioners could and could not do. Because the Jews were seen as a distinct racial and religious group who were not and should not be subject to the same laws as Christians, these charters were to be the best of all worlds. They supposedly gave Jews additional rights and allowed the Christians to get over some of the barriers of the Church.

Unfortunately, such decrees -- purposely or not -- are laden with anti-Semitism, which was very common during these times. One of the first words of concern is "walls." It is clearly recognized that the Jews were fearful of their own lives and wanted protection, which the walls would give them for a time. They were pleased that the Bishop gave them this fortified area.

Yet anyone who knows about the Jewish ghettos in Eastern Europe, recalls that they were surrounded by walls to keep them in and the other citizens protected and out. In this case, the Jewish populace is not only to be surrounded by walls but be outside of the city. Plus, they have to protect themselves from external violence.

The fact that Jews, unlike the Christians, were allowed to lend money heightened the problem. Jews rarely found need to borrow from Christians, generally raising capital among themselves. Yet the Christians often had to rely on Jewish loans and paying interest for that right. Local rulers, wishing to further commerce in urban areas invited Jewish merchants to settle in their communities. Eventually, as the urban class improved their lot, the Jews were seen as economic competitors.

In the meantime, the lure of Jewish riches was a temptation for many, including as noted in this situation, the burghers or middle class (which eventually became the bourgeoisie) that developed out of the serfs. The Mainz Anonymous Chronicle (Eidelberg, 1977, p. 100) recounts how whenever the crusaders would arrive at a city "the local burghers would harass us (Jews), for they were at one with them in their intention to destroy vine and root all along their way to Jerusalem." In fact, the support of the burghers was critical to the slaughter of the Jews in Mainz, for they unlocked the city gates for the crusaders.

Despite the fact that the fortifications around the Jewish population could only protect them so much, no where in Speyer's decree does it say that others would come to their aid in another situation like Mainz. A paper signed by the Bishop can only offer so much protection in times of violence and unrest.

From 300 A.D. On as Christianity became the prevailing religion, non-Christians were often murdered with shouts of "To the gallows with the Iscariot!" Jews, due to their very different appearance and lifestyle were easy to recognize and persecute. In addition, people were jealous they saw Jews who were comparatively more wealthy and educated. Further, the Jews refused to accept Christianity, which added to the fire. The Church aggravated the situation by pointing them out as nonbelievers. From time to time during the Middle Ages, Jewish populations lost their rights and possessions. Even when people were not allowed to seize their property, they were not part of the everyday population but secluded as noted in the decree above.

In fact in 1096 A.D., at the beginning of the Crusades, one of the worst massacres of the times developed out of mob violence. Although not everyone wanted the Jews to be put to death if it could be avoided, the leading crusaders enforced baptism, instead. If and when Jews refused, they were seen as an offense to God and killed. Even if accepting baptism, they were often killed. Who could trust the spawn of the devil? The Church, worried that the Jews' non-acceptance of Christianity would encourage doubts about Christian doctrine, began preaching anti-Jewish sermons. As time went on, the massacres and hatred increased as Jews were forced to wear special badges and only live in designated areas.