Josce of York

Josce of York was English Jewish financier and martyr. He was a leading agent of Aaron of Lincoln (c. 1125-1186) who is believed to have been the wealthiest man in Norman England. Josce’s name appears in the earliest surviving English sheṭar, receipt for debt repayment, of 1176.

Josce of York lived in a prosperous but highly dangerous time in England for the members of Jewish community. During his life he became highly respected and influential businessman that has had dealings with the highest stratum of English society.

He was one of the Jewish representatives at the coronation of Richard I (1189) that turned into pogrom, but was able to escape when the mob attacked the Jews. King Richard I. (1157-1199) barred all members of Jewish community from the investiture, but some Jewish leaders arrived to present gifts for the new king. When a rumor spread that Richard had ordered all Jews to be killed, the people of London began a massacre. Many Jews were beaten to death, robbed, and burned alive. Josce managed to escape that tragic event, but in 1090 he ended his life in a similar one.

On March 16th 1190 a wave of anti-Semitic riots culminated in the massacre of an estimated 150 Jews – the entire Jewish community of York – who had taken refuge in the royal castle where Clifford’s Tower now stands. Members of the local gentry had debts they owed to Jewish money-lenders in the city, to Josce as well, and they saw the riots as an opportunity to absolve themselves from repayment.

Josce of York survived the first attack and led those who took refuge in the castle keep. When the keep was attacked, decision was reached to put one another to death rather than fall into the hands of the enemy. Josce was the first to act, slaying his wife, Anna, and his children; he himself was slain last by Yom-Tov of Joigny, a French-born rabbi and liturgical poet.