This Jewish tombstone fragment is one of two surviving medieval inscriptions in England; indicating a thriving medieval Jewish community living in Northampton at the time.
Medieval Jewish tombstone fragment with Hebrew inscription
This is part of a unique medieval Jewish tombstone, from the 1200s. It is the only surviving example of a medieval Jewish Tombstone in England and one of only two surviving medieval Jewish inscriptions in this country. It was discovered in Northampton over a hundred years ago, and is our link with the small but thriving Jewish community that existed here over eight hundred years ago.
It is inscribed in Hebrew, and it is most probably in memory of Solomon, a Rabbi and a scholar. The inscription is in the style of Jewish tombstones from the Rhineland, showing the links with mainland Europe, and it is also evidence of a Jewish religious academy (yeshiva) in the town. There were up to 80 Jews living here; only London and Lincoln had substantially larger Jewish communities at that time.
Number 39 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
Northampton
Contributed by Daniel Tabor, Northamptonshre Interfaith Forum
This unique limestone figure, carved in deep relief, shows a man in a long belted robe with hands held in prayer. Among thousands of Medieval objects excavated from the Deserted Medieval Hamlet of West Cotton, Raunds (1985–89), this one stood out and was affectionately nicknamed ‘Norman Morris’ by the archaeological team.
© NMAG
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NMAG
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The Trustees of the British Museum
©
NMAG
©
Andy Chapman