Jewish Cemetery Lost Since 1290 Found in London

[Pelican Press 0]

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******* ********* Lost Since 1290 Found in London

A hidden medieval ******* *********, once believed to be lost, has been rediscovered beneath the Barbican Estates in London, close to the remnants of an ancient wall within the Thomas More Garden. The Barbican ********* and surrounding buildings had been destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, and when the Barbican residential complex was built starting in the 1960s it was constructed directly over where the ********* had once stood.

 The burial ground has been dated back (1066-1157) to the early Norman *******, making it the first ******* ********* in England. It remained in use until the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290, after which the site was desecrated and fell into neglect.

The ******* Square Mile Project: A Cultural Revival

The project to rediscover the ********* was spearheaded by the ******* Square Mile project, a volunteer group founded by Howard and Gaby Morris, reports

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. After hearing long-standing rumors of the *********, the couple dedicated themselves to finding it.

They were drawn to the stories shared by Father Jack Noble of St Giles Cripplegate, an ancient ******* within the Barbican, who gathered a group of ******* residents to investigate whether the burial ground existed and, if so, to find its exact location.

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Outline of hidden ******* ********* overlaid on modern map of Barbican Estates. (Liebelsch/

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The ******* Square Mile project now includes individuals from across the spectrum. This diverse group consists of a medieval historian and writer, researchers, and an architect, as well as musicians and composers.

Their aim is to uncover the forgotten stories of the ******* community that lived in medieval London, and to resurrect a storied history that’s been instrumental in shaping the modern identity of London. The ******* community ended up becoming one of the largest communities in medieval London, and the ******* Square Mile Project seeks to explore the everyday lives, families, education, and culture of that community.

The project also plans to host various events, including a performance by a ******* choir at the Moat Theatre of the City of London School for ******, reports

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. An exhibition will also delve into the tragic aspects of medieval ******* history in England, such as the massacres and expulsions the people endured, while also celebrating their cultural and economic contributions during the two centuries they lived in the city before Edward I’s decree forced them to leave in 1290.

Reverend Canon Jack Noble of St Giles Cripplegate played an important role in this, bringing together what would eventually become the ******* Square Mile team.

******* Community in London: A Storied History

The ******* community was first brought to London by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman invasion. Brought over primarily for their financial expertise, Jews lived under the protection of the Crown but were not granted the full rights of free citizens. Slowly, they became an integral part of the economic set up, acting as money lenders (forbidden for Christians), and integrating into the social scene as lawyers, doctors, goldsmiths, even poets.

In fact, through this project, it is hoped that the long-standing and often harmful stereotypes of ******* people as mere moneylenders or usurers, as depicted in literary works like “Ivanhoe” or Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”, to whom the famous ‘pound of flesh’ allegory is attributed to, will be dispelled.

While they had little ownership, even of their own possessions, they were allowed to maintain a burial ground where they could observe their customs. This provided them with a sense of permanence and belonging in an otherwise restrictive environment.

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Aerial view of the Barbican Estates. (Suttonpubcrawl/

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The ******* residents of medieval London established a small but thriving community, with synagogues, schools, and a burial ground. Despite their contributions to the economic and cultural life of London, they faced increasing restrictions and hostility over time, fueled by anti-Semitic sentiment. By 1290, under the reign of Edward I, Jews were officially expelled from England, marking the end of this early chapter of ******* history in the city.

******* life in London resumed centuries later, following the readmission of Jews to England by Oliver Cromwell in 1656. This ******* marked a new era for the community, which grew significantly in size and influence over the following centuries. The Jews of London established synagogues, schools, and charitable organizations, becoming integral to the city’s development.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, the community expanded further, with waves of ******* immigrants arriving from Eastern Europe. Today, ******* Londoners continue to play an important role in the city’s cultural, social, and economic life, maintaining their heritage while contributing to the modern, diverse fabric of London. The rediscovery of the ancient ********* is helping this community reconnect with their roots, which go back nearly 1,000 years into the past.

Top image: Water gardens inside Barbican Estates, over the old *********  Source: Fred Romero/

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By Sahir Pandey

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#******* #********* #Lost #London

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