Gentile Tales: The Narrative Assault on Late Medieval Jews

Beginning in Paris in the year 1290, Jews were accused of abusing Christ by desecrating the eucharist—the manifestation of Christ's body in the communion service. Over the next two centuries this tale of desecration spread throughout Europe and led to violent anti—Jewish activity in areas from Catalonia to Bohemia, particularly in some German—speaking regions, where at times it produced regionwide massacres and "cleansings."

Drawing on sources ranging from religious tales and poems to Jews' ...