CHAP. XI. 



GOLD AND SILVER. 30S 



other pursuit than that of arms. Hence, the 

 commerce of Europe fell almost exclusively into 

 the hands of the Jews, who, though sometimes 

 persecuted, were sometimes caressed by the 

 monarchs and the nobles ; and were, in fact, the 

 chief depositaries of the treasures of gold and 

 silver. 



Although in the ninth and tenth centuries, 

 the names of Bordenwick, Magdeburg, Erfort, 

 Forscheim, and Ratisbonne, occur as trading 

 cities ; there seems reason to conclude that the 

 chief business in them was conducted by the 

 Jews. The fairs and markets that were esta- 

 blished for purposes of trade were fixed at 

 places and in situations which were deemed by 

 those people most adapted for their convenient 

 resort. 



An author of the ninth century, who affirms 

 this, complains of the Jews that " their riches 

 and their pride had so increased, under the 

 feeble reign of Louis the First of France, that 

 both had attained their highest pitch. They 

 obtained for money whatever they desired, and 

 even succeeded to such an extent, that the 

 priests were forbidden to baptize their domestics 

 without previously obtaining the consent of 

 their masters. The principal persons of the 

 court, whose money was diminished, and whose 

 wants increased, sought their friendship, and 



