From Vine to Tavern: Jews, Christians, and Wine in Medieval France and Italy

Abstract

This chapter examines the participation of Jews and Jewish converts to Christianity in wine production and sales in medieval France and Italy. The chapter draws on evidence from tax registers, cartularies, and notarial contracts to show that the production, sale, and public consumption of wine was both an important avenue for the participation of Jews in local economies and a key site of routine social and economic boundary crossing between Jews and their non-Jewish neighbors. The involvement of converted Jews in tavern operation also offers a rare glimpse of ongoing interaction between Jewish converts to Christianity and both Jews and Christians in France and Italy.

Department(s)

History

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.4324/9781003403616-24

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Journal Title

Medieval Work Worship and Power Persuasive and Silenced Voices

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