Massacre of 1391 facts for kids

The Massacre of 1391, also known as the pogroms of 1391, was a terrible time of violence against Jews in Spain. It showed strong antisemitism, which is hatred or prejudice against Jewish people. This event was one of the worst outbreaks of anti-Jewish violence in the Middle Ages. Later, in 1492, Jewish people in Spain were given a difficult choice: either convert to Christianity or leave the country.

During this time, Jewish people living in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) often faced dislike. Violence against them was common, even into the 15th century. However, the year 1391 marked a peak, or the highest point, of this anti-Jewish violence.

Life for Jewish People in the 1300s

In the years before the Massacre of 1391, the Catholic Church generally did not like Jewish people. This was because of old beliefs about their role in the death of Jesus. However, Jewish people were also protected by the Spanish rulers. They played very important roles in banking and finance, which made them valuable to the kingdom. This meant they were a financial asset, bringing money and stability.

Why Attitudes Changed

In the early 1300s (around 1311–1312), a big meeting called the general council of Vienne took place. At this meeting, they decided to limit the religious freedoms of the Moors, another group living in Spain. Some people believe that this council also made leaders in Spain think about how others viewed their tolerance of Jewish people.

Because of this, some leaders might have returned to Spain wanting to harm the peaceful relationships between Jewish people, Moors, and the wider Spanish population. However, even if this created bad feelings, there was no immediate major change. This was because Jewish people paid a special tax that greatly helped the kingdom and the church. So, Jewish people were too important economically to be treated with extreme violence at that time.

See also

In Spanish: Masacre antisemita de 1391 para niños