The marauding crusaders in the Rhineland enjoy…
February 1147 CE
The marauding crusaders in the Rhineland enjoy the advantage of fighting unarmed infidels without the expense, hardship and danger of a long journey.
They often have the tacit (at the least) backing of the new group of Christian merchants eager to rid themselves of Jewish competition.
Because Jews are forbidden in most Christian realms to own land, money lending, formerly a Church business, is their only obvious recourse for financial survival.
The Jews of Würzburg, unlike other communities that have fled to local castles for protection, have elected to remain where they are.
After a rumor begins that a Christian corpse had been found in the river and can perform miracles, the Jews are accused of killing the person.
As a consequence, on February 24, 1147, twenty-two men, women and children, including the rabbi, Isaac ben Elyukem, are murdered .
After the riot, the survivors flee to the local castle.