Usury

The medieval Catholic Church condemned usury, meaning lending money at interest, as sinful. Many Jewish migrants were encouraged to work as moneylenders. This connects religious rules with an economic role that rulers valued.

Medieval Church teaching prohibited Christians from lending money at interest, known as usury. Jewish lenders therefore occupied an important position in an economy where people needed loans but cash was not always readily available. Borrowers included people from different social ranks, not just kings or wealthy nobles.

Medieval church authorities condemned lending at interest as usury. Church leaders also sought to restrict Jewish finances, impose church taxes and encourage conversion to Christianity. Under Henry III, who ruled from 1216 to 1272, pressure increased and houses for converted Jews were established in London and Oxford.