Anti-Judaism and violence in the kingdom of Mallorca in the mid-14th century

Authors

  • Jordi Maiz Chacon UNED - ILLES BALEARS

Abstract

The Christian conquest of Majorca in 1229 represents an important paradigm on the island. Demographic and economic growth was determined by the arrival of very heterogeneous contingents to the Balearic Islands. Among those groups were Jews who came to the scene from different locations attracted by opportunities and royal protection. With the passage of time, the Jewish communities that settled in Majorca had lived a period of splendor and growth. The diversity of its activities and the social, economic and cultural dynamism were its hallmarks. After the Black Death of 1348 and the agricultural crises of the fourteenth century, the relationship between Jews and Christians became so muddied that in 1391 the Jewish neighborhoods of Mallorca were attacked and the death of a large part of its members occurred. This study analyzes the evolution of this relationship and delves into the problems prior to the assault and destruction of the Jewish quarter of Palma.

Keywords:

Anti-Judaism, Mallorca, Society, Economy, 14th century, crisis