Unconfirmed Acts

The following are Acts that are missing either a full date and/or an Official source.

Displaying 175 – 200 of 742
1. Full Date of Act
1204
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Decree of King John
3. Geography of Act
Present-day England [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Thou [Jews] shalt not lend at interest to thy [Jewish] brothers.”

5. Source
Revue des Etudes Juives, t. iv., 7-8
6. Researcher & Translator
Joan Paez
7. Year of Research & Translation
2016
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1205
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Papal bull by Pope Innocent III addressed to King of France
3. Geography of Act
Present-day France
4. Text of Act

“We advise and urge in the name of the Lord…that you strive to destroy Jewish abuses of the kingdom of the Franks…rise up to eliminate these heretics…”

5. Source
S. Grayzel, The Church and the Jews in the XIIIth Century, New York, 1966, 104-8
6. Researcher & Translator
Joan Paez
7. Year of Research & Translation
2016
8. Notes
Researcher
In this papal bull, Innocent III accuses Jews of usury, blasphemy, arrogance, employing Christian slaves and murder. Innocent III urges the king to put an end to these “evils.”
1. Full Date of Act
Feb. 1205
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Papal Bull” issued by Pope Innocent III and addressed to King Philip (Philippe Auguste) II of France
3. Geography of Act
Papal States [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“The Pope accuses the Jews living in France of extortion, usury, usurping church property, and the property of Christians (‘non solum usuras, sed usuras usurarum extorquent, ecclesiarum bona et possessiones Christionorum usurpent’). The Pope reaffirms the prohibition of Christian nannies to serving in Jewish homes and the preference of the testimony of Christians outlined by the Third Lateran Council and regrets that they are not observed. The Pope lambasts the fact that Jews erect higher synagogues than nearby churches where the celebration of the Christian liturgy is prevented by the great clamor with which the Jews celebrate his services. Innocent III claims that the Jews publicly insult the Christians with ridiculous words in relation to Jesus Christ and that the houses of the Jews are open until midnight to thieves and their booty. Furthermore, he claims that Jews abuse the patience of the king and kill Christians furtively. And so that in order that the name of the Lord is not soiled and the freedom of Christians is not worse than the slavery of the Jews, Innocent III finally exhorts Philip Augustus to abolish such abuses in the Kingdom of France and to punish blasphemers. Finally, the pope justifies the persecution of wolves who have accepted the appearance of sheep to thus demonstrate the fervor with which one professes the Christian faith (‘in eorum demonstret persecutione fervorem quo fidem prosequitur Christianam’).”

5. Source
Documenta Catholica Omnia; Innocentii III Romani Pontificius; Regestorum Sive Epistolarum Liber Sextus. (Complete Catholic [Church] Documents; The Roman Pontif Innocent III, Legal Documents/Laws or Letters; Box Six); www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu; Accessed online
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2018
8. Notes
Researcher
The above is a summary of the original Latin text, which can be found in the cited source. This writ has given rise to a number of debates. One in particular evolves around the proper translation of the word “persecutio” which Pope Innocent uses in the beginning. Some interpret it to mean persecution while other believe it means “pursuit.” Nevertheless, the Pope claims that even though God accepts the presence of Jews in Christian kingdoms, “divine eyes are outraged by all who prefer the sons of the crucifiers to the heirs of Christ.”
1. Full Date of Act
1207
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Papal Bull” issued by Innocent III
3. Geography of Act
Spain
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) Required Jews of Spain to pay tithes on possessions obtained from Christians. A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day; The Jewish Encyclopedia

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1209
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Social Restrictions Against Jews,” 1209
3. Geography of Act
Present-day France
4. Text of Act

Commentary from Other Sources: 1) Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse, is humiliated and forced to swear that he would implement social restrictions against Jews. Avraham, Yerachmiel Ben: All in the Name of Jesus: The Murder of Millions (2016)

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1211
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Writ of Frederick II
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Italy [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Frederick (‘Friedrich’) grants/loans all Jews of Palermo with their dye-houses/dying factors and the warehouse along with all [of their] related levies/taxes to the archiepiscopal church.”

5. Source
Schaube, Adolf: Handelsgeschichte der Romanischen Völker des Mittelmeergebiets bis zur Ende der Kreuzzüge. (München/Berlin; 1906); (History of commerce of the Romanic peoples of the area of the Mediterranean until the end of the crusades. (Munich/Berlin; 1906);
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2020
8. Notes
Researcher
The above is a translation of a German summary of the original Latin text.
1. Full Date of Act
1212
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Fuero Real (Statute Royal) of Alphonso IX. Book IV, Title 2. – On Jews
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Spain [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Article I – We forbid any Jew reading or keeping concealed books opposed to his religion […]. We further prohibit their reading, or knowingly possessing any books that speak against our religion, or in disparagement of it. But we permit them to read and possess all books on their religion […]. And should a person read or keep any book contrary to this our prohibition, his person and property shall be at the mercy of our king. Article III – If a Jew utters anything reviling against God, the holy Maria or other saints, he shall be fined ten maravedis for each offense, and the king shall order one hundred lashes to be given to him. […]”

5. Source
Elias H. Lindo, The History of the Jews of Spain and Portugal, 1848, page 76, Accessed online
6. Researcher
Franziska Wagener
7. Year of Research
2016
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
Mar. 1212
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Writ of Frederick II
3. Geography of Act
Holy Roman Empire; Present-day Italy [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Friedrich II gifts the Jewish synagogue in the city [of Messina] to Archbishop Lucas of Constance at his request […].”

5. Source
Regesten zur Geschichte der Juden in Deutschland während des Mittelalters. Bearbeitet von Dr. M. Wiener. Erster Teil. (Regesta regarding the history of Jews in Germany during the Middle Ages. First Part.); (Hannover; 1862)
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2020
8. Notes
Researcher
The above is a translation of a German summary of the original Latin text.
1. Full Date of Act
1216
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Order issued by Pope Honorius III
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Italy
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “December 22, 1216. Pope Honorius III gave official approval for the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), founded in 1216 by St. Dominic. Its purpose is to convert Muslims and Jews and to put an end to heresy. The Dominicans eventually become the main administrators of inquisitorial trials.” Austin Cline: “Timeline of Medieval Christianity: 1200 CE- 1300 CE.”

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1220
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Assisiae regum regni Siciliae VI” issued by King Fredrick II of Sicily
3. Geography of Act
Sicily [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Jews […] are not allowed to purchase and keep Christian slaves under any circumstance or (different) titles.”

5. Source
Vering, Friedrich H: Archiv für katholisches Kirchenrecht mit besondere Rücksicht auf Deutschland, Oesterreich und die Schweiz. Volume 48; (Mainz; 1882), p. 20.
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2016
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1222
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Constitutions of Stephen Langton” Issued by Archbishop Stephen Langton of Canterbury
3. Geography of Act
England
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “[A]rchbishop of canterbury Stephen Langton orders english language jews [to] wear white band[s] 2 fingers broad, 4 fingers long.” Cyrus Adler, Joseph Jacobs: “BADGE;” jewishencyclopedia.com 2) “This decree prohibited Christians from having any communication with Jews, or selling them provisions, upon pain of excommunication.” The Jewish Herald and Record of Christian Effort for the Spiritual Good of God’s Ancient People: (London, 1852) p. 13

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1223
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Decree of Louis VIII
3. Geography of Act
France
4. Text of Act

Commentary from Other Sources: 1) Louis VIII of France prohibits his officials from recording debts owed to Jews, reversing his father’s policy of seeking such debts. Avraham, Yerachmiel Ben: All in the Name of Jesus: The Murder of Millions (2016)

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1226
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Jews declared to be property of the Barons” by King Louis IX
3. Geography of Act
France
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) When Louis IX (The Saint) ascended the throne, A.D. 1226, he piously determined to suppress usury, and, as a simple expedient thereto, he recognized the Jews as the property of the barons. Russel, Bruce M. and John R. Oneal: The Fiddle and the Bow – Triangulating Peace, (Bob Taylor’s Magazine) Volume II

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
Apr. 1227
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Writ of Henry VII
3. Geography of Act
Duchy of Limburg; Holy Roman Empire; Present-day Germany [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Henry VII permits Duke Henry (‘Heinrich’) IV of Limburg at his request/plea and his brother Waleran (‘Walram’ III) of Montjoie together with his loyal council, William (‘Wilhelm’) Duke of Jülich and his heirs to own all Jews, who enter his domains in order to stay/settle there, as an imperial loan (‘Reichslehne’) and to use them/rule over them (‘über sie verfügen’) […]”

5. Source
Regesten zur Geschichte der Juden in Deutschland während des Mittelalters. Bearbeitet von Dr. M. Wiener. Erster Teil. (Regesta regarding the history of Jews in Germany during the Middle Ages. First Part.); (Hannover; 1862);
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2020
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1228
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Decree issued by the Council of Valladolid
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Spain [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“We decree that from now on, all the decrees of the sacred General Council shall be observed with greater diligence. […] We likewise decree and order most emphatically, that the Jews shall not wear a wide cloak of the kind worn by the clergy, for it is highly improper that the Jews, who should be set apart and separated from the Christians by some definite sign, wear the garments of clerics. They shall be forced to do this by the power of the Church.”

5. Source
Grayzel, Solomon. Church And the Jews In the XIIIth Century: a Study of Their Relations During the Years 1198-1254, Based On the Papal Letters And the Conciliar Decrees of the Periods. The Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning: Philadelphia PA, 1933. P.319.
6. Researcher
Dominik Jacobs
7. Year of Research
2019
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1229
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Social Restrictions Against Jews” issued by Raymond VII
3. Geography of Act
Present-day France
4. Text of Act

Commentary from Other Sources:
1)
Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, heir of Raymond VI is also forced to swear that he would implement social restrictions against Jews.
Avraham, Yerachmiel Ben: All in the Name of Jesus: The Murder of Millions (2016)

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
Dec. 1230 C.E.
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Statutes of Melun” (‘Statutum apud Meledunum’) official contract/agreement/ordinance between King Louis IX and Number of Barons
3. Geography of Act
Kingdom of France; Present-day France [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“In the statutes of Melun (‘statutum apud Meledunum’) [… King Louis declares] for the salvation of his soul ‘and in glorious memory of his father Louis and his predecessors’ that he nor the Barons may permit Jews to enter/sign any debt-contract (Art. 1). No one in the entire empire may withhold a Jew of another ruler, and wherever anyone finds one of his Jews (‘Judaeum suum’), he can arrest/imprison him, like his own slave (‘tamquam proprium servum suum’), as long as the Jew is in the territory of the other or in another kingdom (‘in alio regno’)* […] (Art. 2). […]”

5. Source
Die rechtsverhältnisse der Juden in den deutsch-österreichischen Ländern. Mit einer Einleitung über die Prinzipien der Judengesetzgebung in Europa während des Mittelalters. Von Dr. J. E. Scherer. (The legal status of Jews in German-Austrian Countries. With an introduction regarding the principles of Jewish legislation in Europe during the Middle Ages. By J. E. Scherer, PhD.); (Leipzig; 1901);
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2018
8. Notes
Researcher
*This mean also outside of France. The statutes also required Jews to show proof of any debt owed to them by their lords by Christmas or lose any claims to them. The above text is a translation of a German summary of the original Latin text. The original Latin text can be found in its entirety in M. Alexandre Teulet’s Inventaires et Document Publies Par Order de L’Emererur.
1. Full Date of Act
1231 C.E.
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Jews Expelled from Leicester by Simon de Montfort
3. Geography of Act
England [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“Know all of you, that I, for the good of my soul, and the soul of my ancestors and successors, have granted […], that no Jew or Jewess, in my time or in the time of any of my heirs to the end of the world, shall inhabit, or remain, or obtain a residence within the liberty of the town of Leicester.”

5. Source
The Palgrave Dictionary of Medieval Anglo-Jewish History, ed. by Joe Hillaby, Caroline Hillaby, New York 2013, page 197
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1233
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Statute Concerning the Jews
3. Geography of Act
England
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “This expelled all Jews from England who could not be of service to the King. It also laid down certain regulations regarding loans …” Langham, Raphael: The Jews in Britain: A chronology, p. 19

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1234
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Chamber servant tax
3. Geography of Act
None
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) During the “Jewish-privilege” era of Kaiser Friederichs II, Jews are called “servi camrae” (Kammerknecht) for the first time in order to mark their special legal status as being “unfree.” In the following years, it become increasingly common for the emperor to pledge, rent or sell the existing “Jewish-safty-regulations” to any territorial lords. So up to the mid 14th century, Jews were considered “chamber servants” in Bavaria and had to pay had their taxes to the dukes. “Chronologie zur Geschichte de Juden in Bayern (906 – 1945);” RIJO RESEARCH; rijo.homepage.t-online.de

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1235
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
Jews Expelled from Wycombe
3. Geography of Act
England
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “Simon de Montfort … issued an edict expelling the Jews from his home city of Leicester. This proved to be the start of a host of expulsions from various cities and towns – …” Langham, Raphael: The Jews in Britain: A chronology, p. 18

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
1235 C.E.
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Sachsenspiegel” compiled by Eike von Repgow on behest of Lord Count Hoyer of Falkenstein
3. Geography of Act
Saxony [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“[…] If a Jew buys or accepts chalices, books or priest’s clothing in pawn for which he has no warrantor, and if it is found in his possessions, he shall be tried as a thief. Whenever other items he buys openly in daylight and not behind closed doors that he can prove with two others, he retains the money he paid for it or lent upon his oath even if it has been stolen. Should his warrantor fail him, however, he loses his money. […]”

5. Source
Dobozy, Maria: The Saxon Mirror – A “Sachsenspiegel” of the Fourteenth Century
6. Researcher
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research
2016
8. Notes
Researcher
The Sachsenspiegel (Saxon Mirror) is the most important law book of compiled documents of the Holy Roman Empire in the German language.
1. Full Date of Act
1236
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Imperial Letter of Protect” Issued by the Friedrich II
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Germany
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “In an imperial Letter of Protection in the year of 1236, Friedrich II finally institutionalizes the notion that all Jews are to be considered ‘chamber servants’ (servitus camere imperialis).” Demel, Michael: Gebrochene Normalität, S. 51

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None
1. Full Date of Act
Apr. 1237 C.E.
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
“Order” of Friedrich II to the Jewry of Vienna
3. Geography of Act
Present-day Austria [Provisional]
4. Text of Act

“[..] the Jews are Our chamber-servants (‘servi camerae nostrae’) [… however] 3) in keeping with the command of imperial authority of ancient times, if the Christian princes so choose, [they] shall be able to exclude Jews from the tenured posts of civil servants. […]”

5. Source
Böhmer, Johann Friedrich: Die Regesten des Kaiserreichs unter Philipp, Otto IV, Friedrich II, Heinrich (VII) und Conrad IV. 1198-1254 (Official Registry of the Empire under Philip, Otto IV, Fredrick II, Henry (VII) and Conrad IV. 1198-1254.); (Stuttgart; 1849)
6. Researcher & Translator
Ziba Shadjaani
7. Year of Research & Translation
2018
8. Notes
Researcher
This law contained a number of privileges afforded to the Jewry of Vienna, except the section that grants the ruling princes – under whose domain Jews lived at that time – to excluded them from civil servant positions if they so choose.
1. Full Date of Act
1239
2. Name of Act (or Short Description)
King Henry III
3. Geography of Act
England
4. Text of Act

Commentary from other sources: 1) “In 1239, King Henry III ordered all of England’s Jews to turn over a third of their belongings and assets to the crown; Jews who couldn’t pay were imprisoned in the Tower of London while their property was seized.” Dr. Yvette Alt Miller, “The Most Famous Jewish Woman in Medieval England,” aish.com

5. Source
None
6. Researcher
None
7. Year of Research
None
8. Notes
None