Jewish Characters in Fiction; English Literature (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911. Excerpt: ... olic sovereigns of Spain feeling that they needed the assistance of thejr Jewish subjects, protected them, but they could not check the growing prejudice. The year 1360 marked the beginning of the end. By 1380 Jews who espoused their faith openly were denied many of the rights enjoyed by other Spanish subjects. They could hold few offices, and were compelled to live in separate quarters. In 1391 they became the victims of terrible massacres. 4000 were slain in Seville, and 2000 in Cordova. Under these trying conditions thousands gave up their faith while other thousands became Maranos. In 1469 Isabella, sister of Henry IV of Castile, married Ferdinand the crown prince of Aragon. Moorish power in Spain was then practically at an end, and the country was now a united Catholic dominion. In 1480 the Inquisition was introduced. Isabella seems to have been sincere in her desire to make the land solidly Catholic. Ferdinand saw in the plan a splendid opportunity to enrich himself with the possessions of the Maranos. The climax came in March 1492, when an edict banishing all the Jews from the kingdom was issued. In vain did Is-ac Abravanel, royal treasurer, plead with the roval couple to withdraw the decree, and offer them 30,000 ducats for clemency. Bursting in upon the interview with crucifix dramatically held on high, Torquemada, the head of the Inquisition, cried, "Behold him whom Judas sold for thirty pieces of silver. Are you bargaining to sell him again at a higher price?." On Aug. 2, therefore, 3 00,000 Jews, went forth from the land of their birth, to seek homes wherever they could find them. It was one of the saddest, and most tragic events in all Jewish history. 3. Grace Aguilar first wrote "The Spirit of Judaism" in 1831. But the manuscript which ...