Event

Coin-clipping arrests in England, 1278

Arrest of all the Jews of England on a charge of clipping coins, and the executions that followed.

2 links, 2 backed by primary records

Connections 2

London executions recorded by 7 May 1279 Primary record 1
Edward I of England the crown lost the taxes the impoverished families had paid Primary record 1

Timeline 1 date

Proof 1 source

Jews in England in 1290 (teaching resource with transcribed and translated royal records), The National Archives (UK). Primary record
Coin-clipping was punishable by death and, by 7th May 1279, it was recorded that 269 Jews had been executed in London.
On 17th November 1278, it was record that all the Jews of England were simultaneously arrested “for clipping of money” and imprisoned while their houses were searched.
Although Christians were also accused of these crimes, it was clear that England’s Jewish community were targeted as the key suspects.
As a result of these new laws, many Jewish families became poor and the king could no longer collect taxes from them: hundreds were arrested, hanged or imprisoned.

Page history 1 change