Charter of Bishop Rudiger of Speyer (1084)

Starting from the eighth century, Jews were attracted to Europe from the Mediterranean area by the policy of protection under the Carolingian kings, who were eager to encourage the settlement of merchants who traded in fine textiles, spices, and luxury goods consumed by the nobility. (Question: Why was there a need to "import" traders, and, in particular, Jewish traders?) In the wake of the Carolingian period, these Jews of the Franco-German region, who were the original "Ashkenazi" Jews, began to form their particular cultural patterns. Their communities began to expand rapidly in the eleventh century.


Jewish Communities in 9th Century

By the late tenth century onward, the Jews of the Franco-German region developed a high level of talmudic studies. The greatest of the Jewish scholars of this period, known by the acronym Rashi (Solomon ben Isaac, c. 1040-1105), produced biblical and talmudic commentaries that are classics to this day. By this time, the missionizing of the Church had eliminated pagan worship in the region, and Judaism was the only non-Christian culture in western Christendom.

The following document, a charter granted to a group of Jewish merchants and their families to settle in the Rhineland town of Speyer, shows the favorable conditions offered to Jews by authorities in the Franco-German region in this period. It is noteworthy that it was granted by a bishop of the Church. Read the document carefully, looking for important clues about Jewish-Christian relations (which may be between the lines).

Charter of Bishop Rudiger of Speyer (1084)

In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. When I wished to make a city out of the village of Speyer, I Rudiger, surnamed Huozmann, bishop of Speyer, thought that the glory of our town would be augmented a thousandfold if I were to bring Jews.

1.Those Jews whom I have gathered I placed outside the neighborhood and residential area of the other burghers. In order that they not be easily disrupted by the insolence of the mob, I have encircled them with a wall.

  2. The site of their residential area I have acquired properly--first the hill partially by purchase and partially by exchange; then the valley I received by gift of the heirs. I have given them that area on the condition that they pay annually three and one-half pounds in Speyer currency for the shared use of the monks.

  3. I have accorded them the free right of exchanging gold and silver and of buying and selling everything they use--both within their residential area and, outside, beyond the gate down to the wharf and on the wharf itself. I have given them the same right throughout the entire city.

  4. I have, moreover, given them out of the land of the church burial ground to be held in perpetuity.

  5. I have also added that, if a Jew from elsewhere has quartered with them, he shall pay no toll.

  6. Just as the mayor of the city serves among the burghers, so too shall the Jewish leader adjudicate any quarrel which might arise among them or against them. If he be unable to determine the issue, then the case shall come before the bishop of the city or his chamberlain.

  7. They must discharge the responsibility of watch, guard, and fortification only in their own area. The responsibility of guarding they may discharge along with their servants.

  8. They may legally have nurses and servants from among our people.

  9. They may legally sell to Christians slaughtered meats which they consider unfit for themselves according to the sanctity of their law. Christians may legally buy such meats.

In short, in order to achieve the height of kindness, I have granted them a legal status more generous than any which the Jewish people have in any city of the German kingdom.

Lest one of my successors dare to deny this grant and concession and force them to a greater tax, claiming that the Jews themselves usurped this status and did not receive it from the bishop, I have given them this charter of the aforesaid grant as proper testimony. In order that the meaning of this matter remains throughout the generations, I have strengthened it by signing it and by the imposition of my seal; as may be seen below, I have caused it to be sealed.

This charter has been given on September 13, 1084 A.D.

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