Medieval Jewish Quarters in Northern France and Urban Parishes (12th-14th c.): places of identity and cohabitation
Résumé
Jewish communities have been observed to have flourished in numerous cities across Western Europe since the early Middle Ages, as evidenced by the gradual establishment of Jewish quarters. Functioning as both identity spaces and sites for exchange and cohabitation, medieval Jewries were integrated into the parishes in diverse ways, contingent upon specific contexts and historical periods. This presentation aims to explore the intricate relationships between Jewish communities and medieval parishes, with a particular focus on the apparent tension arising from the spatialization of identity through community spaces shared with other religious groups. To achieve this objective, the study will examine four cities located in Tsarfat (corresponding to Northern France for medieval Jews), namely Paris, Rouen, Orléans, and Provins, spanning the period from the twelfth to the fourteenth century, employing an archaeological and topographical approach. By analyzing the physical layout and urban organization of these cities, the research endeavours to shed light on the dynamics of interaction between Jewish communities and the broader societal framework of medieval parishes.