Marks, K.A.; (2012) The archaeology of Anglo-Jewry in England and Wales 1656-c.1880 AD. Masters thesis , UCL (University College London).

Abstract

This thesis considers the archaeological and topographical evidence of Anglo- Jewry in England and Wales from re-admission in 1656 to c.1880 using the evidence of cemeteries, synagogues, mikvaot (ritual baths), place-names, artefacts and written sources The largest Jewish community has always been in London with around two thirds of the total at any one time. From c.1740, itinerant peddlers formed the first provincial communities, and by c.1815, 24 communities had been established in the provinces, of which 17 were in ports, such as Chatham, Falmouth and Liverpool. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, many of the smaller port communities declined and moved to London, Birmingham, Manchester and elsewhere, including Bristol, Leeds and Newcastle. While defunct communities left cemeteries and synagogue buildings, they took ritual objects with them or passed them onto new congregations. Evidence from London and 35 provincial towns represents over 80% of the Jewish population in 1850 and is examined in this thesis. The density and location of synagogues changed over time. Orthodox Jews must live within walking distance of their synagogues, and thus population distribution and change had a clear physical impact on urban topography. This thesis brings this information together in a unified study and concludes with an appraisal of the key findings in a wider cultural and social perspective in the period ending c.1880. Suggestions for future research are offered.

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