The 1233 caricature · ORIGINES

Evidence

The 1233 caricature

An authentic drawing, made by a clerk of the royal administration.

Reading the evidence

A · Authenticity

Authentic: on a 1233 tax roll kept at The National Archives.

B · Content

Isaac of Norwich, crowned, Mosse Mokke and Abigail, surrounded by demons; a devil named 'Colbif' points at them.

C · Probative value

Proves that Christians in the royal administration associated Jews with the devil. Proves nothing about the practices of the Jews depicted.

Source

Primary source · Verified

Exchequer receipt roll, Hilary term 1233 — caricature des Juifs de Norwich / caricature of the Jews of Norwich

Scribe anonyme de l'Échiquier / Anonymous Exchequer clerk — c. 1233

Open the source sheet →

Links

Evidence supports
The drawing explicitly associates Jews of Norwich with demons.
Backed by : Scribe anonyme de l'Échiquier, Exchequer receipt roll, Hilary term 1233…
Evidence gives context to
The image informs us about the Christian gaze, not about Jewish practice.
Backed by : Scribe anonyme de l'Échiquier, Exchequer receipt roll, Hilary term 1233…, Joshua Trachtenberg, The Devil and the Jews: The Medieval Con…
Evidence documents
A dated, authentic example of this association.
Backed by : Scribe anonyme de l'Échiquier, Exchequer receipt roll, Hilary term 1233…