1189

After the riot against the Jews attending Richard I's coronation, the entire London community took refuge in the Tower.

1220

During Henry III's re-coronation, Jews were forcibly protected by being put in the Tower.

1230

A Hugh is named as a 'Serjeant of the Jewry', when two Flemish merchants accused three London Jews of assault and attempted robbery.

1236 -

When Henry III was married to Eleanor of Provence, the London community avoided trouble by taking refuge in the Tower.

1255 -

92 Lincoln Jews are held in the Tower on the allegation of the ritual murder of Little Hugh of Lincoln. 18 Jews are executed in consequence of the false allegation.

1261 -

A royal mandate confirms the powers of the Constable over the Jews: he can attach and imprison Jews in London and across England and the Constable is confirmed as the principle gaoler of England's Jews. He can also preside over legal cases in London, between Jews and Christians, concerning pledges not exceeding 40 shillings in value.

1264

When Simon de Montfort and his followers attacked the London Jewry, and looted homes and desecrated synagogues, some of the Jews were sheltered by their neighbours, but the rest were escorted by the mayor to the safety of the Tower.

1266

In the last phase of the Barons' War, the 'disinherited knights' occupied London, with the agreement of Londoners, and attacked the Jewry. The Jews took shelter in the Tower of London, which was held by the Papal Legate Ottobini, and were related to have taken their defensive duties seriously.

1268

The London Jewish chest (archa), used to keep records of all Jewish transactions, is temporarily kept at the Tower of London during disturbances.

1275

A Jew from Wilton, Isaac Babelard, fell ill and died in London. His money and various chattels (a silver spoon, a gold ring, a brooch and a horse worth 8 shillings) were handed to Thomas, the clerk of the constable's court and the serjeant. The constable subsequently produced these or their value in money in court.

1275 to 1278

Records of the Tower are preserved and include over 500 items in relation to the administration and dealings with the Jewry and Jews, as well as the mass imprisonment of 1278.

1276

A further tallage is made upon the Jews, 'to complete the works of the Tower of London'.

1277

In Hilary Term 1277, the justices note a memorandum that the Jews of London have paid Giles of Oudenarde, constable of the Tower of London, by the king's writ, directed to the justices and the constable, for the works at the Tower £10 of the portion of the Jews of London.

1277

The Jewish community are taxed to help fund the largest building activity in the Tower's History.

1278

600 Jews are arrested and held in the Tower for offenses against the coinage (coin clipping). Giles of Oudenarde, sub-constable of the Tower, includes in his accounts for the regnal year, beginning 20 November 1278, a sum of £31.11s., for 30 foot Serjeants, for guarding 600 Jews of various counties, arrested for offences against the coinage, for 140 days.

1278

Several Jews pay 64s. to be fettered individually. Named locations for detention include, 'in the elephant house', 'in the tower beyond the elephant', 'in Hagin's Tower', 'in Brother John's Tower', 'in Brother John's stable', 'in Brother John's cellar'. Some 269 Jews are hanged for the offense.

1281

Jornin son of Abraham, a Jew, is named as a serjeant (serviens) of the Tower of London, who with other Jews (Aaron son of Elias and Moses of Doggestrete) was assaulted while conducting the body of the murdered Jew, Josce of Guildford, through Southwark.

1528 - 1589

Smelted copper, from the Mines Royal around Keswick, and which were operated by German miners, is brought to the Tower, via boat from Newcastle and delivered to the Lieutenant of the Queen's Ordnance at the Tower. From to 1581 to 1585 this copper is produced by a Prague Jew, Joachim Gaunse, brought to England to revolutionise the production of strategic metals, especially copper.

1559

Roderigo Lopez, a Jew, settled in London and was physician to Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. He again held services in his house. However he became embroiled in the politics of the time and was accused of treason and attempting to poison the Queen. He was executed for his pains at the Tower in 1594.

1594

In the reign of Elizabeth I, around 100 Jews were to be found in London and they formed a convenient channel of trade with Spain and Portugal.