Archa (document store) facts for kids
An archa (pronounced ARK-uh) or arca was like a special, strong chest used in the Middle Ages to keep important papers safe. These papers were mostly about money and agreements involving Jews in England at that time.
Think of an archa as an official safe. It had three locks and seals. A copy of every important document, like a contract or a deed, that involved Jewish people had to be put inside. This was done to make sure these records were kept safe and could not be easily destroyed or changed.
What Was an Archa?
An archa was a special storage chest for medieval financial documents. It was designed to protect important records. These records included things like chirographs, which were written agreements or deeds. The chests helped keep track of who owed money to whom and other business dealings.
Why Were Archae Needed?
Archae were introduced because of some big problems that happened in England around 1189-1190. After King Richard I became king, there were attacks on Jewish communities. During these troubles, many important financial records were destroyed. This was a problem for the king because he lost a lot of money that was owed to him through taxes and fees related to these Jewish financial dealings.
To prevent this from happening again and to protect the king's money, archae were created. They were a way to make sure that even if there was trouble, the official records would be safe. This helped the king keep track of all the money and property that Jewish people owned or were owed.
How Archae Worked
Several cities in England, like Worcester and Winchester, were chosen to have archae. These cities became important centers for all Jewish business. All financial agreements and possessions had to be officially registered there.
Each archa center had a special office, or "bureau," to manage the records. This office was run by four people:
- Two respected Jewish leaders.
- Two Christian clerks.
These four people worked under the watchful eye of a representative from a new central government department. This department was called the Exchequer of the Jews. It was like a special treasury or finance office just for Jewish affairs. Their job was to make sure all the rules about the archae were followed and that the king's financial interests were protected.
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