Aaron, Son of the Devil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aaryn, Son of the Devil |
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Aaron, Son of the Devil is the name of a very old drawing from England. It's a cartoon, or caricature, that shows a Jewish person in a very unfair and negative way. This drawing was found on an official paper from the year 1277 in a place called Essex.
This drawing is important because it's the oldest known picture of a Jewish person in England that has a specific date. It also shows how Jewish people were sometimes treated unfairly a long time ago.
What is the Caricature?
The drawing shows a man named Aaron. He is called "Son of the Devil" in the document, which was a very mean and prejudiced way to describe someone. This kind of unfair treatment or hatred towards Jewish people is called antisemitism.
The drawing shows Aaron wearing a special yellow badge on his clothes. This badge looks like the Tablets of the Law, which are important in Jewish tradition. At that time, Jewish people in England were sometimes forced to wear these badges. This was done to make them stand out and to treat them differently from others.
Why Was This Drawing Made?
This drawing was part of a document about some people, both Jewish and Christian, who got into trouble. They were near the city of Colchester and had chased a deer that escaped from hunting dogs. This was against the "forest laws" of the time. These laws protected the king's hunting grounds.
Most of the people involved were caught and had to pay fines. However, one Jewish man, who was supposedly Aaron, managed to get away. Because he escaped arrest, this mean drawing was made of him on the official document. It was a way to shame him and show him in a bad light.
A Look at History
This caricature gives us a glimpse into the history of Jewish people in England during the 13th century. It reminds us that prejudice and unfair treatment have existed for a long time. It also shows how art, even simple drawings, can reflect the feelings and laws of a particular time period.
