4B0 
THE JEWS OF YORK. 
arising that the governor, who often went out, intended to betray them, 
they one day refused him entrance. He complained to the sheriff of 
the county, who, being deeply indebted to the Jews, united with him, 
and orders were issued to attack the castle. The cruel multitude, acting 
with the soldiery, felt such a desire of slaughtering those they intended 
to despoil, that the sheriff, repenting of the order, revoked it, but in 
vain ; fanaticism and robbery, once let loose, will satiate their ap- 
petency for blood and plunder. They solicited the aid of the supe- 
rior citizens, who, perhaps, not owing quite so much money to the 
Jews, humanely refused it ; but having addressed the clergy, (the bar- 
barous clergy of those days,) were by them animated, conducted, and 
blessed. 
The leader of this rabble was a canon regular, whose zeal was so 
fervent that he stood by them in his surplice, which he considered as 
a coat of mail, and reiteratedly exclaimed, “ Destroy the enemies 
of Jesus.” This spiritual laconism invigorated the arm of men, who 
perhaps wanted no other stimulative than the hope of obtaining the 
immense property of the besieged. It is related of this canon, 
that every morning before he went to assist in battering the walls, he 
swallowed a consecrated wafer. One day having approached too near, 
defended as he conceived by his surplice, this church militant was 
crushed by a heavy fragment of the wall, rolled from the battlement. 
But the avidity of certain plunder prevailed over any reflection, 
which, on another occasion, the loss of so pious a leader might have 
raised. 
Their attacks continued ; till at length the Jews perceived they 
could hold out no longer, and a council was called, to consider what 
remained to be done in the extremity of danger. 
Among the Jews, their elder rabbin was most respected. It has 
been customary with this people to invite for this place some foreigner 
renowned among them for the depth of his learning and the sanctity 
of his manners. At this time the Haham, or elder rabbin, was a 
foreigner, who had been sent over to instruct them in their laws, and 
was a person, as we shall observe, of no ordinary qualifications. When 
the Jewish council was assembled, the Haham rose, and addressed 
them in this manner — 
“ Men of Israel ! the God of our ancestors is omniscient, and there 
is no one who can say. Why doest thou this ? This day he commands 
us to die for his law; for that law, which we have cherished from the 
first hour it was given, which we have preserved pure throughout our 
captivity in all nations, and which, for the many consolations it has 
given us, and the eternal hope it communicates, can we do lessthamdie ? 
Posterity shall behold this book of truth, sealed with our blood ; and 
our death, while it displays our sincerity, shall impart confidence to 
the wanderer of Israel. Death is before our eyes ; and we have only 
to choose an honourable and easy one. If we fall into the hands of 
our enemies, which you know we cannot escape, our death will be 
ignominious and cruel ; for these Christians, who picture the Spirit of 
God in a dove, and confide in the meek Jesus, are athirst for our blood, 
and prowl around the castle like wolves. It is, therefore, my advice 
that we elude their tortures ; that we ourselves should be our own 
