The Life and Miracles of St. William of Norwich

The Life and Miracles of St. William of Norwich is a hagiography by the monk Thomas of Monmouth that was written in 1173. Thomas of Monmouth investigated the death of a young boy who would later be known as William of Norwich. In 1144, William was purportedly ritually murdered by the Jewish community in the town of Norwich.

The Life and Miracles of St. William of Norwich details the first known account of ritual murder by Jews. Abducted by Jews, William of Norwich was tortured and crucified. Initially, the Jews treated William well but he was quickly bound and gagged by a wooden gag called a "teazle." William was shaven and forced to wear a crown of thorns. Afterwards, William was "fixed to a cross in mockery of the Lord's Passion" and crucified.

The credibility of Thomas of Monmouth's accusations hinges upon the testimony of a monk and former Jew named Theobald of Cambridge. Theobald claimed that Jews had to sacrifice a Christian yearly to obtain their freedom and reclaim Israel. Hence, William of Norwhich's ritual death at the hand of the Jewish community. Furthermore, Thomas of Monmouth elaborately constructed William's narrative to mimic the death of Jesus Christ, comparing William to "an innocent lamb."

As a result of Thomas of Monmouth's account, the Jewish community in England experienced intense discrimination and eventually expulsion. The 1194 Ordnances placed new taxes and restrictions upon the Jews. By 1290, Edward I expelled all Jews from England.

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