Commemoration in Lincoln

I read today that Lincoln, England, is holding an event to coincide with "European Days of Jewish Culture." The Europe-wide commemorative events involve towns and cities with a tradition of Jewish history. In Lincoln, "a formalised Jewish heritage trail has been established ready for the event, which will be walked as a complete entity for the first time," according to the blog News for Medievalists.

Several years ago, I spent quite a lot of time researching Aaron of Lincoln, a financial innovator who became the richest man in England. At left is my 2000 photo of the house in England called "Aaron's House" -- though evidence is weak that he lived there in actuality.

Aaron's story is most fascinating, involving the 12th century Jewish communities of Rouen, France, and London and Lincoln, England. Rouen and London were the two capitals of Henry II, Plantagenet, who ruled both Normandy and England -- inherited ultimately from his ancestor William the Conqueror. Another fascinating story.

According to the article:

Steve Griffiths, Jewish community secretary, said: "Lincoln is home to Britain's greatest collection of medieval Jewish houses which are a testimony to its importance as a centre of Jewish life in England. Jews lived here for the better part of two centuries most of the time in comparative peace and harmony which the periodic uproars and tragedies have tended to disguise."