Benedict of York
Benedict of York (died 1189) was a moneylender and a leading member of the 12th-century Jewish community in York, England.[1] Benedict was considered the second-greatest moneylender in York after Josce of York.[2] Benedict acquired several lands as a result of his activities, and debts to him were still being honoured a decade after his death.
Benedict attended the coronation of King Richard I along with Josce of York and was forcibly baptised as "William" during the subsequent attacks on the Jewry of London at Richard's coronation.[1] Benedict was severely wounded in the attack and accepted a Christian baptism from a monk from York, Prior William of St. Mary's Abbey.[1][2] Benedict recanted his Christian faith the next day when summoned before King Richard. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Baldwin of Forde, said of Benedict's recantation that "...if he will not be a Christian, let him be the devil's man".[2] Benedict later appealed to King Richard to allow him to return to his Jewish faith, though this was against canon law. [1]
He died in Northampton soon after his forced baptism.[1] The chronicler Roger of Hoveden said that Benedict was buried in neither the Jewish nor Christian cemetery in Northampton following his death as a result of his recantation.[2] Benedict's house at Spen Lane was described by William of Newbury as like "unto a royal palace in size and strength". Benedict's children and his widow were burned alive in his house during the Easter York riot in 1190.[1][3][4]
References
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