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Background history |
Oliver Cromwell’s decision to allow Jews to return to England after 1656 was partially motivated by his aim to re-establish London as a major trading centre after the Civil War. The first Jewish immigrants to arrive settled in London, included prosperous Sephardi merchants who came via Holland and Portugal. They were soon joined by Ashkenazim also from Holland and eastern Europe. Compared to the rest of Europe, Cromwell's country was a model of religious acceptance. Jews were safe from progroms and persecution and able to conduct business.
By 1700 the small community had grown to approximately 600 people, mainly merchants, but also dealers in bullion and diamonds, skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers and a few physicians.
During the 18th century the Jewish community continued to grow. Those arriving were poor Ashkenazi migrants from the German states, Poland and to a lesser extent Dutch Jews of German origin. Renewed activity by the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal in 1720 and 1735 provoked a new arrival of around 3,000 Conversos. Others came from the Italian states, North Africa, Gibraltar and the Ottoman Empire.
During the second half of the century, Jewish refugees – Sephardi or Ashkenazi – were therefore increasingly unskilled with few material resources. They were often pedlars and hawkers, itinerant traders selling goods frequently of poor quality or dubious provenance. They worked as street traders selling oranges, lemons, spectacles, costume jewellery, sponges, lead pencils and inexpensive framed pictures.
In 1745 or earlier several Jewish families chose to settle in King's Lynn. Who were they, why did they come to Kings Lynn and where did they live before? These are all questions that will be covered fully in a new book to be published June 2025.
The eighteenth century King's Lynn Jewish Community is important. The earliest Foundation Document that remains is for our Kings Lynn Community. There are three historical accounts that can be found https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/kingslynn/index.htm, however new research has shown that these accounts are incorrect , incomplete and erroneous. The new illustrated research paper will be published June 2025. In the meantime as new chapters are written summaries and illustrations will be published on this website. Please download May 24 edition below.
By 1700 the small community had grown to approximately 600 people, mainly merchants, but also dealers in bullion and diamonds, skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers and a few physicians.
During the 18th century the Jewish community continued to grow. Those arriving were poor Ashkenazi migrants from the German states, Poland and to a lesser extent Dutch Jews of German origin. Renewed activity by the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal in 1720 and 1735 provoked a new arrival of around 3,000 Conversos. Others came from the Italian states, North Africa, Gibraltar and the Ottoman Empire.
During the second half of the century, Jewish refugees – Sephardi or Ashkenazi – were therefore increasingly unskilled with few material resources. They were often pedlars and hawkers, itinerant traders selling goods frequently of poor quality or dubious provenance. They worked as street traders selling oranges, lemons, spectacles, costume jewellery, sponges, lead pencils and inexpensive framed pictures.
In 1745 or earlier several Jewish families chose to settle in King's Lynn. Who were they, why did they come to Kings Lynn and where did they live before? These are all questions that will be covered fully in a new book to be published June 2025.
The eighteenth century King's Lynn Jewish Community is important. The earliest Foundation Document that remains is for our Kings Lynn Community. There are three historical accounts that can be found https://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/kingslynn/index.htm, however new research has shown that these accounts are incorrect , incomplete and erroneous. The new illustrated research paper will be published June 2025. In the meantime as new chapters are written summaries and illustrations will be published on this website. Please download May 24 edition below.
All that remains to be seen in Kings Lynn is the disused Cemetery. Once this cemetery stood by the side of the Mill Fleet. Now it appears to be strangely situated by the side of a residential estate. One of the first things a group of Jewish people need to ensure if they intend to live in a town new to them will be a burial ground. In the documents that service a long lease was taken out for this plot in 1830. However we know from the headstones that we can read that the cemetery was in use at least from 1810 and it is very likely many years before.
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Ceramic figurine of a Jewish pedlar, (Milton and Company) Mocking caricatures of Jews were a popular form of art
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