Anglo-Jewry Since 1066: Place, Locality and Memory

This is a study of the history and memory of Anglo-Jewry from medieval to the present. The particular focus is on the relationship between the local (in this case Hampshire), the national and the global. Aside from its extensive chronological coverage, this book is the first to explore the construction of identities, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in relation to the concept of place. It draws upon a wide range of approaches, including history, cultural and literary studies, geography, Jewish and ethnic and racial studies. Its sources are extensive, including the built heritage and landscape, novels, poems, art, travel literature, as well as more traditional historical material such as autobiographical writing, official documentation, newspapers and census data.The melding of these diverse sources and the interdisciplinary approach enable rich and multi-layered readings of Anglo-Jewish history, as well as the memory of the Jewish presence in Britain. The introductory chapters provide a theoretical overview focusing on the nature of local studies. The organization thereafter is chronological, starting with medieval Winchester, moving to early modern Portsmouth and then chapters covering the evolution of Anglo-Jewry from emancipation to the twentieth century. Emphasis is placed on the impact on identities resulting from the complex relationship between migration (including transmigration) and settlement of minority groups. This book will appeal to scholars interested in Jewish and other minority experiences and, more broadly, the relationship between the local and the global in our fast changing world.