Rouen Crusaders Kill Jews Close to Home, 1096

Rouen, Gaul
1096

The massacre of the Jews of Rouen is recorded in an autobiography by abbot Guibert of Nogent.
He relates that Crusaders from Rouen had an epiphany:
Before they traveled all the way to Jerusalem to kill Jews, they should take care of business at home.
"We want to attack the enemies of God in the east after traveling great distances, while before our eyes are the Jews, of all races God's greatest enemy."
They took up their weapons and forced the Jews into the synagogue and slaughtered everyone who would not convert. (Norman Golb, The Jews in Medieval Normandy 117-118)


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