From: Shira Dicker [email protected]
A medieval murder trial illuminates the complex origins Of one of the most enduring antisemitic myths in history THE MURDER OF WILLIAM OF NORWICH “Blood libel,” the myth that Jews engaged in ritual murder, originated in a suspenseful story of murder, a notorious trial that followed and the cold-blooded ecclesiastical politics of Medieval Europe. In the first full telling of this dramatic story, THE MURDER OF WILLIAM OF NORWICH: The Origins of the Blood Libel in Medieval Europe (Oxford University Press, July 2015) by E.M. Rose reveals how a false myth can arise from cold-blooded political intrigue and change history. In 1144, the mutilated body of a young Christian boy named William was found abandoned outside the city of Norwich. His corpse bore disturbing signs of torture. In 1150, a knight, back from a failed Crusade and unable to pay his debts, was accused of killing a Jewish banker. The local bishop defended him, claiming that William of Norwich had been killed by a Jew in a mockery of Christ’s crucifixion and thus the entire Jewish community, including the banker, should be held accountable for William’s death. Later recounted by a Benedictine monk who believed the young victim should be regarded as a saint, the tale gained currency far beyond Norwich. Placing the murders and their trials in the context of 12th century England, the Second Crusade, Church reform and the position of Jews in medieval society, Rose unravels the facts to make a powerful argument for how the malevolent blood libel accusation took hold. She also considers four "copycat" cases in which Jews were similarly blamed for the death of young Christians and traces the adaptations of the story over time. In the centuries after its origin, the ritual murder accusation provoked instances of torture, death and expulsion of thousands of Jews and the extermination of hundreds of communities. Although no charge of ritual murder has withstood historical scrutiny, the concept of the blood libel is so emotionally charged and deeply rooted in cultural memory that it endures even today. Invigorated by fascinating characters, a gripping narrative, and rigorous scholarship, THE MURDER OF WILLIAM OF NORWICH reveals surprising answers to the question of why the blood libel emerged when it did and how it was able to gain enough widespread acceptance to lay the foundations for centuries of antisemitism. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: E.M. Rose studied Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Modern History at Yale and Oxford Universities, earned a doctorate from Princeton, and has taught at Johns Hopkins, Rutgers and Baruch, City University of New York (CUNY). The Murder of William of Norwich is E.M. Rose’s first book. ABOUT THE BOOK: THE MURDER OF WILLIAM OF NORWICH The Origins of the Blood Libel in Medieval Europe by E.M. Rose Oxford University Press | Hardcover | Publication date: July 1, 2015 392 pages | $27.95 | ISBN 978-0-19021-962-8 SHIRA DICKER MEDIA INTERNATIONAL Creative Communication Consultants 438 West 116th Street, Suite 43 New York New York 10027 Global Mobile: 917.403.3989 Visit my blog: Bungalow Babe in the Big City http://bungalow-babe.blogspot.com
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