King Edward I's 1290 Edict of Expulsion Forced English Jews into Exile
On July 18, 1290, King Edward I of England issued the Edict of Expulsion, mandating that all Jewish residents depart the kingdom by November 1 of that year. This decree followed decades of increasing restrictions, including the 1275 Statute of the Jewry that prohibited Jewish moneylending, and accusations of coin clipping. Jewish communities had been present in England since the Norman Conquest of 1066, initially invited for their financial expertise. Over time, they faced segregation, heavy taxation, and antisemitic myths like blood libel. The expulsion, involving approximately 3,000 people, was Europe's first state-mandated removal of a Jewish population and remained in effect for over 350 years until informal readmission under Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century.
Key facts
- King Edward I issued the Edict of Expulsion on July 18, 1290.
- The edict ordered all Jews to leave England by November 1, 1290.
- Approximately 3,000 Jewish people were affected by the expulsion.
- The expulsion followed the 1275 Statute of the Jewry restricting Jewish economic activities.
- The edict was not formally overturned until the 17th century under Oliver Cromwell.
Entities
Institutions
- Church of England
- Parliament
Locations
- England
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Germany
- Cairo