Jurnet of Norwich
JURNET OF NORWICH
JURNET OF NORWICH (Hebrew name: Eliab ; c.1130–1197), English financier. He had important dealings with the crown and with the monastery of Bury St. Edmunds. In 1184, a fine of 6,000 marks was imposed on him and he went abroad, but was permitted to return in 1186 after a payment of 2,000 marks. In the Hebrew sources he is referred to as nadiv, indicating that he was a patron of learning. The story that he married a Christian heiress has now been disproved. His son isaac of norwich (c. 1170–1235/6), termed nadiv like his father, was an outstanding financier under Henry iii and was able to survive a fine of 20,000 marks imposed on him for concealment of chattels in 1218, paid off at the rate of one mark daily. A remarkable caricature of him and his associates is preserved (see *Caricature). On his death, his son samuel (before 1204–1273) succeeded to his position in the Norwich community. Substantial relics of the family mansion, which originally had a wharf attached, are still known as Isaac's Hall.
bibliography:
V.D. Lipman, Jews of Medieval Norwich (1967), index; H.G. Richardson, English Jewry under Angevin Kings (1960), 32–45; Roth, England3, index. add. bibliography: odnb online.
[Cecil Roth]