Called to Account, the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, is set against the backdrop of a pogrom against the Jewish community in Frankfurt. Yet racist violence has taken place almost everywhere, including England.
In the heart of York, England, stands Clifford’s Tower, a medieval stone keep that offers stunning views of the city. However, beneath its picturesque façade lies one of the darkest episodes in English history, the massacre of the Jewish community on the 16th of March, 1190. This tragic event remains a harrowing reminder of the religious intolerance and violence that plagued medieval Europe.
Jews had settled in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, encouraged by William the Conqueror, who saw their financial expertise as beneficial to his kingdom. By the late 12th century, York had a thriving Jewish community, engaged primarily in moneylending, a profession restricted to them due to Christian prohibitions on usury. While this brought them prosperity, it also made them targets of resentment, particularly among debt-ridden nobles and merchants.
Tensions between Christians and Jews in England had been growing, fueled by religious bigotry, economic envy, and political instability. In 1189, the coronation of King Richard I had sparked anti-Jewish riots in London, setting a dangerous precedent. In March 1190, the hostility reached York.
A mob, consisting of townspeople, debtors, and local nobles, incited by religious zealotry and financial motivations, turned against the Jewish community. Seeking refuge, around 150 Jews, including men, women, and children, barricaded themselves inside the wooden keep of York Castle, which stood where Clifford’s Tower now stands.
As the mob laid siege, the Jews faced a terrible choice: surrender and face forced conversion or death, or take their own lives. Led by Rabbi Yom Tov of Joigny, many chose the latter, setting fire to the keep and perishing inside. Those who attempted to surrender were betrayed and murdered by the mob.
The massacre at Clifford’s Tower, on 16th March was one of the worst anti-Jewish atrocities in medieval England. Though King Richard I later condemned the violence, the perpetrators were never held accountable. This tragedy foreshadowed further persecution, culminating in the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290 by King Edward I.
Today, Clifford’s Tower stands as a solemn memorial to those who perished. A plaque commemorates the victims, and the site serves as a place of remembrance and reflection.
The massacre at Clifford’s Tower is a stark reminder of the consequences of intolerance and scapegoating. By remembering this tragic event, we honor its victims and reaffirm the importance of standing against hatred in all its forms.