The Statute of Jewry was a statute issued by Henry III of England in 1253. In response to widespread anti-Jewish sentiment, Henry attempted to segregate and debase England's Jews with oppressive laws which included imposing the wearing of a yellow Jewish badge to invite the Christian public's disdain.

Context

English Jews were legally under the jurisdiction of the king, who offered them protection in return for their economic function. As "royal serfs", they were allowed freedom of the king's highways, exemption from tolls, the ability to hold land directly from the king, and physical protection in the vast network of royal castles built to assert Norman authority. Usury, or lending money at interest, was forbidden to Christians of the era. Jews were prohibited from joining workmen's guilds, but were allowed to lend money at interest to non-Jews. The small number of Jews in England, a few thousand out of a total population over one million, thus served a valuable economic function, and were subject to high taxes at the king's discretion. The reputation of Jews as extortionate money-lenders arose, making them extremely unpopular with the Church and the general public.

Articles

The statute had thirteen articles. They contained the following provisions: