1275-2025: Queenship, Minorities, and Expulsion

1275-2025: Queenship, Minorities, and Expulsion

A conference exploring the power of medieval queens, the history of England’s medieval Jewish community, and expulsion in the Middle Ages.

By Historic Royal Palaces

Date and time

Monday, June 30 · 10am - 5:15pm GMT+1

Location

Tower of London

Tower Hill London EC3N 4AB United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 10 days before event

Agenda

10:00 AM - 10:05 AM

Welcome

Brigadier Andrew Jackson CBE (Historic Royal Palaces)

10:05 AM - 10:15 AM

Introduction

Professor Miri Rubin (Queen Mary University London)

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Queens and their Powers

Professor Louise Wilkinson (University of Lincoln) - 'Eleanor of Provence and Eleanor de Montfort: A Queen and her Sister-in-Law's Relationships with the Jews'; Dr Charles Farris (Historic Royal Pal...

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Coffee Break

12:00 AM - 1:15 PM

Plenary Lecture I

Professor David Carpenter (KCL) - 'King Henry III and the Jews: prelude to expulsion'

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch Break

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Expulsion and its Aftermath

Dr Emily Rose (Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Oxford) - '1255, 1275, 1290'; Dr Rory Maclellan (The British Library) - 'The Final Years of the Jews at the Tower, 1275-90'; ...

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Tea and Coffee

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Plenary Lecture II

Professor Rowan Dorin (Stanford University), 'Eleanor's Expulsion: A Global Historical Event?'

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Closing Remarks

Professor Miri Rubin (Queen Mary University London)

5:15 PM

Event Finish

About this event

  • Event lasts 7 hours 15 minutes

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) invite you to attend this jointly convened one-day conference on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the Expulsion of the Jews from the towns ruled by Dowager Queen Eleanor of Provence.

Eleanor of Provence, Queen Consort to King Henry III, was an important figure during the Second Baron’s War and part of a long tradition of medieval queens taking an active role in English politics. However, Eleanor is less well-known for her part in the persecution of England’s Jewish Community. In 1275, Eleanor expelled Jews from living in her dower lands – the lands assigned to her as Queen Dowager, after the death of Henry III. Eleanor’s actions were a precursor to the total expulsion of the Jews in England in 1290, by her son Edward I.

This study day brings together expert historians from around the world to discuss Eleanor’s place in history and her role in the story of England’s medieval Jewish community. It will explore the power and duties of medieval queens, the history of England’s medieval Jewish community, and expulsion in the Middle Ages.

During the day, there will be the opportunity for conference delegates to explore the Tower of London. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please provide details of any dietary or access requirements when you book your tickets.

The event is open to academics, students, cultural heritage professionals, and members of the public.

There are a limited number of free conference tickets available for unfunded PhD students or ECRs not currently in employment. If you would like to apply for one of these tickets, please email research@hrp.org.uk by 20th June 2025 with a short explanation (200 words) outlining your eligibility and the value of this event to your research.

Tickets

Organized by

Historic Royal Palaces

Historic Royal Palaces is responsible for six magnificent and historically significant royal palaces: the Tower of London; Hampton Court Palace; Kensington Palace; Banqueting House, Whitehall; Kew Palace, Queen Charlotte's Cottage and the Pagoda (within Royal Botanic Gardens Kew); and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. Our collections include the Arts Council England designated Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, archaeological finds, and architectural drawings. Many of the items on display at our palaces which we undertake research on, including the Crown Jewels, are part of the Royal Collection.