The work abroad had exhausted the royal treasury, and he bought a grant from his Parliament by listening to their wishes in the matter of the Jews.

Jewish traders had followed William the Conqueror from Normandy, and had been enabled by his protection to establish themselves in separate quarters or "Jewries" in all larger English towns.

The Jew had no right or citizenship in the land.

The Jewry in which he lived was exempt from the common law.

He was simply the king's chattel, and his life and goods were at the king's mercy.