Part of all of this was that Christianity grew to forbid usury between members of the faith, i.e. Europeans could not lend money to each other at interest. The Jews were under no such restriction themselves, so they became the de facto moneylenders, or rather the moneylenders were ultimately mostly Jews. This did not make them popular. In the middle ages, the latest pogrom aimed at the Jews was just as likely to be because some local ruler decided he really didn’t feel like paying off his debts.
I’m embarassed about how long it took me to realise it was Expel the Jewry, and not Expel the Jewelry… I did not understand how throwing away my valuables would net me some cash.
Part of all of this was that Christianity grew to forbid usury between members of the faith, i.e. Europeans could not lend money to each other at interest. The Jews were under no such restriction themselves, so they became the de facto moneylenders, or rather the moneylenders were ultimately mostly Jews. This did not make them popular. In the middle ages, the latest pogrom aimed at the Jews was just as likely to be because some local ruler decided he really didn’t feel like paying off his debts.
Easiest way to make some quick cash in Crusader Kings
I’m embarassed about how long it took me to realise it was Expel the Jewry, and not Expel the Jewelry… I did not understand how throwing away my valuables would net me some cash.