Domus Conversorum facts for kids
The Domus Conversorum was a special place in London that helped Jews who chose to become Christian. Its name means 'House of the Converts'. Later, it was known as the Chapel of the Master of the Rolls. This building offered a home and a small income to these people. It was important because, before 1280, Jews who converted to Christianity would lose everything they owned to the King.
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What Was the Domus Conversorum?
The Domus Conversorum was like a community home for Jewish people who decided to change their religion to Christianity. It gave them a place to live and some money to help them get by. This was especially helpful because, for a long time, if a Jewish person converted, the King would take all their belongings.
When Was It Started?
King Henry III created the Domus Conversorum in 1232. It was meant to support these new converts.
How Did It Change Over Time?
In 1290, King Edward I ordered all Jews to leave England. This event is known as the expulsion of the Jews. After this, the Domus Conversorum became the only official way for Jewish people to stay in the country if they converted.
At that time, about 80 people lived there. By 1356, the last of these early residents had passed away. Between 1331 and 1608, 48 more converts were welcomed into the house. The person in charge of the Domus Conversorum was called the Master of the Rolls.
Where Was the Building Located?
The building was located on a street called Chancery Lane in London. We don't have many records about it after 1609.
What Happened to the Site Later?
In 1891, a law was passed that ended the job of the chaplain (a religious leader) at the Domus Conversorum. By then, the place was known as the Rolls Chapel. It had been used to store important legal documents. After the law, it became the Public Record Office, which is a place for keeping government records.
Today, the same site is home to the Maughan Library of King's College London, which is a well-known university.
Other Uses of the Name
Sometimes, the term "Domus Conversorum" was also used to describe the living areas for lay brothers in monasteries. Lay brothers were people who joined a monastery but did not become priests.
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