An exhibition of records of Jewish settlement in England, dating from the twelfth to the late nineteenth century, was on display today at the Public Record Office in London, the official repository of historic state documents. The exhibition, prepared for display last year as part of the observance of the British Jewish Tercentenary celebration, was delayed because of other commitments.
Medieval records in the collection illustrate the position of the Jews until the 1290 expulsion and the resettlement 300 years ago, including the famous petition presented to Cromwell in March, 1656 by leading Marranos. The petition is considered to have been the basis on which the Jews were readmitted. The documents include an official letter of appointment of Sir George Jessel as Master of the Rolls, the first practicing British Jew to become a Minister of the Crown and a judge.
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