The Origins of the Blood Libel: The Murder of William of Norwich

In 1144, the mutilated body of William of Norwich, a young apprentice leatherworker, was found abandoned outside the city's walls. The boy bore disturbing signs of torture, and a story spread that it was a ritual murder, performed by Jews in imitation of the Crucifixion as a mockery of Christianity. The outline of William's tale eventually gained currency far beyond Norwich, and the idea that Jews engaged in ritual murder became firmly rooted in the European imagination.

E.M. Rose's engaging book, The Murder of William of Norwich: The Origins of the Blood Libel in Medieval Europe (2017), delves into the story of William's murder and the notorious trial that followed to uncover the origin of the ritual murder accusation — known as the "blood libel" — in western Europe in the Middle Ages. Focusing on the specific historical context, and suspensefully unraveling the facts of the case, Rose makes a powerful argument for why the Norwich Jews (and particularly one Jewish banker) were accused of killing the youth, and how the malevolent blood libel accusation managed to take hold. She also considers four "copycat" cases, in which Jews were similarly blamed for the death of young Christians, and traces the adaptations of the story over time.

In the centuries after its appearance, the ritual murder accusation provoked instances of torture, death, and expulsion of thousands of Jews and the extermination of hundreds of communities. Although no charge of ritual murder has withstood historical scrutiny, the concept of the blood libel is so emotionally charged and deeply rooted in cultural memory that it endures even today. Rose's groundbreaking work, driven by fascinating characters, a gripping narrative, and impressive scholarship, provides clear answers as to why the blood libel emerged when it did and how it was able to gain such widespread acceptance, laying the foundations for enduring antisemitic myths that continue to present.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the discussion, please read in advance Chapter 4 ("The Making of a Saint"). You can find the book here.

The Murder of William of Norwich was recognized as a "Top Ten Book in History" by The Sunday Times (London) and received the 2016 Ralph Waldo Emerson Award for "a scholarly study that contributes significantly to interpretation of the intellectual and cultural condition of humanity."