From Neighbours to Enemies? A 14th century transition in Jewish Castile

Two medieval Jewish communities, Segovia and Ávila, illustrate how Jews in Iberia lived and worked close to their Christian and Muslim neighbours. Urban strife and tax riots initially left them relatively unscathed but a civil war in which the Jews backed the losing side, upset the status quo and ruptured a social stability that had lasted for centuries. Ultimately the vicious rhetoric of one man fomented religious fervour and a hatred that led on to violence, conversion and the destruction of whole communities.

We welcome Dr Cecil Reid, a retired NHS Consultant, who has become a student of Jewish society in Castile in the late medieval period. Drawing on material from his recent book ‘Jews and Converts in Late Medieval Castile – Breaking with the Past’ (Routledge 2021).

For those planning to attend in person, there will be an opportunity to socialise before the talk, so please join us at 7.30pm for tea and coffee, cakes and biscuits, the talk will start at about 8.00pm.

We very much look forward to welcoming you at Ralli Hall, or on Zoom.