NEN Gallery

This Deed to Land from about 1260 is made of parchment with a green wax seal depicting a sheaf of wheat. It is a Grant from "Geoffry, son of Philip de Mascing [Matching] to William de Peverile - Part of croft called Edithelege in Haffld Reg [Hatfield Broad Oak] - to be held in peaceable possession by William and his [heirs] and by whoever William gives sells or assigns to, except 'religious men' and jews ...." [lines 4-5]. In 1253 Jews were forbidden to settle, except by special license, in any place where there was not already a Jewish community. No Jew was to remain in England unless his presence was of benefit to the king [Henry III]. In 1271 Jews were prohibited from possessing any land except for the place on which they lived. In 1275 a law forbade transfer of land to Jews.
E1 Essex Record Office D/Du1310/1