‘Trials of the Diaspora: A History of Anti-Semitism in England by Anthony Julius (OUP, £25)
The place of the Jews in medieval England was not, ultimately, a happy one. The great expulsion in 1290 is the headline moment. And there has been much criticism through the years of Chaucer’s stereotype of attitudes towards world Jewry in the Prioress’s Tale. (Although as ever with Chaucer it is unwise to try to tease out his character’s prejudices from his own.) These incidents are key parts of the narrative of Anthony Julius’ new book, reviewed in the Sunday Times by Max Hastings. Hastings found the book ‘a meticulous survey of an aspect of English life that can scarcely fail to discomfit modern readers.’ But he also regretted ‘the accusatory tone of parts of Julius’ book, a creeping sanctimoniousness in his anger.’
1492: The Year Our World Began by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (Bloomsbury, £20)
Also reviewed in the Sunday Times this weekend was Fernandez-Armesto’s thesis on the birth of modernity at the end of the fifteenth century. James McConnachie was rather impressed by Fernandez-Armesto’s ambition. But though he did not worry as much as Simon Heffer in the Telegraph (who reviewed this book a few weeks ago), McConnachie does hint at discomfort with the hesitancy of the author’s conclusions.
