Jews’ Court, Steep Hill, Lincoln
Jews' Court is a Grade I listed building[ on Steep Hill in Lincoln, England. It houses the headquarters of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology.
A medieval synagogue is thought to have been housed behind the two surviving Medieval properties as it is unlikely that a synagogue would have been on the street. The term 'court' probably refers to the courtyard within the Jewish communal buildings as part of a synagogue . Archaeological evidence suggests that the main walls contain 13th century material, with many 18th cenutry additions.
The synagogue was attacked, along with the Jewry, in 1266 by the Disinherited Barons and Gentlemen in the Isle of Oxholme. Along with the whole city of Lincoln, the Jews were ‘spoyled’, with the attackers entering the synagogue and burning holy documents.
There is record also of a large Jewish wedding in Lincoln in 1271, thought to have taken place at the synagogue here. The building is one of only five surviving Medieval Jewish houses in England, evidence of the prominent Jewish community in Lincoln during the 12th and 13th century.
Today the upper room is used by the Lincolnshire Jewish Community, refounded in 1992, as a synagogue. Next door is Jew's House, the former residence of the local Rabbi and now home to a stylish restaurant. Jews Court itself is now a historical book shop.
Jews’ Court, Steep Hill, Lincoln
Jews' Court is a Grade I listed building[ on Steep Hill in Lincoln, England. It houses the headquarters of the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology.
A medieval synagogue is thought to have been housed behind the two surviving Medieval properties as it is unlikely that a synagogue would have been on the street. The term 'court' probably refers to the courtyard within the Jewish communal buildings as part of a synagogue . Archaeological evidence suggests that the main walls contain 13th century material, with many 18th cenutry additions.
The synagogue was attacked, along with the Jewry, in 1266 by the Disinherited Barons and Gentlemen in the Isle of Oxholme. Along with the whole city of Lincoln, the Jews were ‘spoyled’, with the attackers entering the synagogue and burning holy documents.
There is record also of a large Jewish wedding in Lincoln in 1271, thought to have taken place at the synagogue here. The building is one of only five surviving Medieval Jewish houses in England, evidence of the prominent Jewish community in Lincoln during the 12th and 13th century.
Today the upper room is used by the Lincolnshire Jewish Community, refounded in 1992, as a synagogue. Next door is Jew's House, the former residence of the local Rabbi and now home to a stylish restaurant. Jews Court itself is now a historical book shop.