Jews and Moneylending in the Middle Ages: Myths Old and New

Anxieties and accusations concerning Jewish “usury” play a prominent role in narratives of Jewish expulsions in high and late medieval Europe, while the resulting stereotypes continue to serve as fuel for contemporary antisemitism. Stanford University History Professor Rowan Dorin explores some of the myths — both medieval and modern — about the early association between Jews and moneylending, along with their tragic consequences over the course of the Middle Ages and beyond. Free.

Presented by the Department of Jewish Studies as part of the Fall 2020 Lectures in Jewish Studies. Co-sponsored by the Classics Department and the Jewish Community Library.

Rowan Dorin

Rowan Dorin’s research and teaching focus primarily on the legal and economic history of western Europe and the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages (500 – 1500 CE). He is finishing his first book, “Conflicts of Interest: Christian and Jewish Moneylending and the Rise of Mass Expulsion in Late Medieval Europe.”