No Return: Jews, Christian Usurers, and the Spread of Mass Expulsion in Medieval Europe

In late medieval Europe, Jewish and Christian moneylenders faced expulsion due to denouncing usury. Rowan Dorin's book, "No Return," explores how mass expulsion became a pervasive feature of European law and politics, with tragic consequences. It uncovers the protean and contagious nature of expulsion and offers new perspectives on Jewish-Christian relations, the circulation of norms and ideas, and the intersection of law, religion, and economic life in premodern Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In the late medieval period of Europe, a significant historical narrative emerged that intertwined the experiences of Jews and Christian moneylenders. This narrative, known as "No Return," delves into the profound connection between usury and expulsion, shedding light on the shared legacy of these two groups.

Beginning in the twelfth century, Jewish moneylenders found themselves increasingly targeted by European authorities, who condemned the practice of usury as they sought to expel Jews from their lands. However, it is important to note that Jews were not the sole providers of coin and credit to needy borrowers. Across much of Western Europe, foreign Christians also engaged in professional moneylending, facing similar threats of expulsion from the communities in which they settled.

"No Return" explores the intricate relationship between usury and expulsion, examining how these two phenomena became deeply intertwined in European law and politics. Through a comprehensive analysis of unpublished archival evidence, including fiscal ledgers, legal opinions, sermons, and student notebooks, Rowan Dorin traces the historical development of this association. He demonstrates how ideas and practices of expulsion were replicated and repurposed in different contexts, offering a provocative reevaluation of the dynamics of persecution in late medieval society.

One of the key insights of "No Return" is its recognition of the protean and contagious nature of expulsion. The book reveals how the experience of being expelled from one community could lead to the expulsion of others, creating a ripple effect that extended beyond religious and ethnic boundaries. This phenomenon highlights the complex social and political dynamics that shaped late medieval Europe, where the boundaries between different groups were often blurred and contested.

In addition to its exploration of the shared legacy of expulsion, "No Return" offers valuable insights into Jewish-Christian relations, the circulation of norms and ideas in the age before print, and the intersection of law, religion, and economic life in premodern Europe. The book provides a panoramic work of history that offers new perspectives on these critical topics, challenging traditional narratives and illuminating the complex web of interconnections that characterized this period.

Overall, "No Return" is a groundbreaking work of history that sheds new light on the shared experiences of Jews and Christian moneylenders in late medieval Europe. Through its meticulous analysis of archival evidence and its provocative reevaluation of the dynamics of persecution, the book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex and often overlooked period of history.

Weight: 790g
Dimension: 241 x 166 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691240923