Jews' Tower, Winchester Castle
Item
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Name
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Jews' Tower, Winchester Castle
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Dates
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[1240] - [1640]
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Location
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Winchester
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Type
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Intangible
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Description
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The Jews’ Tower was constructed as part of Winchester Castle during the 1240s under Henry III.
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Historians Tony Kusher and Toni Griffiths argue that the Tower was not only for the imprisonment of Jews, but for their protection, making it integral to the lives of medieval Jews living in Winchester. The old Jewish cemetery was located behind the castle, supporting the theory that it was also used to protect the Jewish community from hostile neighbours.
The Tower may also have been used as a venue to hear local legal cases involving Jews, and to store local archa (repositories for Jewish financial records).
The Jews’ Tower no longer stands. Much of the castle was destroyed in the English Civil War during the 1640s, and only the Great Hall with its replica of King Arthur’s round table remains in-tact. You can find more information about visiting the Great Hall and the site of the former Jews’ Tower at the Visit Winchester website..
