Historic%20Yorkshire

32
JEWISH MASSACRE AT YORK
can enable us to fully realise,for none knew whose turn
might come the next for similar treatment. Another of
the Hebrews, Jocenus, who had escaped from London,
and had, therefore, special need to fear the mob, asked
leave ofthe Governor to takerefuge with his family in the
Castle. He had but shortly availed himself of the
Governor's permission, and vacated his house, whenit
was attacked. The exampleof Jocenus was followedby
a large number of his race,until almost all the Jewish
population of York had taken refuge in the Castle, a
proceedingwhich greatlyprovoked those who had hoped
to secure a rich bootyby the persecution. The exciting
events of the following days are well treated in the
following paragraph culled from Miall's " Yorkshire
Illustrations of English History." In the rage of the
conspirators they subjected the few Jews
within their
reach to the most torturing treatment, and set before
them the alternative of baptism or death. In the meantime,
the majority of the body remained in the Castle.
But one day, seeing the Governor leave the building, a
a sudden terror seized them that he would be gained over
by their enemies, and that the whole body would be
delivered over to their malice. Influenced by this fear,
when the Governor returned the Jews denied him
admission. Indignant at this treatment, the Governor
went to Randal de Grenville, the High Sheriff, to whom
he toldhis tale,and he also was extremelyirritatedat the
insult offered to the royal authority represented in his
person. He hastilyorderedthat entrance should be made
by force. The populace caught the excitement, and
took their measures accordingly. Seeing the effect of
his words the High Sheriffwouldhave retracted his order,
but it was toolate. The desire of themultitude toattack
the Jews in the citadel had becomeuncontrollable. Led
on by a canon of the Premonstratensian Order, they
surrounded the Castle and began the work of demolition.
The monk headed the people, shouting out, ' The
enemies of Christ must be destroyed ' till,in attempting