New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Jewish migration in medieval England
I can explain the reasons for and impact of Jewish migrants on medieval England, as well as the experiences of Jewish settlers.
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Jewish migration in medieval England
I can explain the reasons for and impact of Jewish migrants on medieval England, as well as the experiences of Jewish settlers.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Jewish people were invited to migrate to England by Norman rulers.
- Many Jewish people were encouraged to work as moneylenders, although many also worked in other professions.
- Due to increasing antisemitism, Jewish people faced greater discrimination from the late 1100s.
- Jewish people were expelled by Edward I in 1290, not to return for nearly 400 years.
Keywords
Antisemitism - hatred of or discrimination towards Jewish people
Usury - the action of lending money and charging interest, called a sin by the Pope
Common misconception
All Jewish people who migrated to England worked as moneylenders.
Not all Jewish migrants took up jobs as moneylenders; many took up other jobs and assimilated into English society.
In thinking about broader patterns of migration in this period, encourage students to see that Jewish migrants in medieval England are an example of a migrant group whose experiences were dramatically impacted by major events in Europe and changing relations with authorities.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which keyword is a term used to describe the collection of Christian kingdoms in the medieval period?
Q2.
Which keyword describes people who work in the Church, typically monks and bishops?
Q3.
Put the following events in chronological order.
Q4.
Which Norman group migrated to England because of the wealth opportunities from England's fertile land?
Norman monks
Norman royal family
Q5.
Which of the following was an economic incentive for Norman monks to migrate to England?
England's gold trade
England's silk trade
Q6.
Why were the majority of Norman migrants not treated as 'aliens' despite this being the norm in the period?
because they were taken captive so experienced England as 'prisoners'
because they were invited so experienced England as 'guests'
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which keyword describes the action of lending money and charging interest and was called a sin by the Pope?
Q2.
Which of the following jobs did Jewish migrants do in Norman England?
monks
Q3.
Why were Jewish migrants not initially treated as aliens?
because they were originally invited as ‘servants of the nobility’
because they were originally invited as ‘moneylenders of the crown’
Q4.
Complete the sentence: Due to increasing , Jewish people faced greater discrimination from the late 1100s.
Q5.
Which of the following suggests that Jewish migrants still had a negative experience despite their protection status?
They were able to do many jobs other than moneylending.
Q6.
Who expelled Jewish people from England in 1290?
King William I
King Hery VIII
Queen Elizabeth I
Additional material
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