Declaration Marks 750th Anniversary of a ‘Dark Day in Guildford’s History’

Published on: 21 Jan, 2025
Updated on: 21 Jan, 2025

Alexander Goldberg, the Rabbi of Guildford signs the declaration.

By Martin Giles

Jews were expelled from Guildford 750 years ago and a ceremony to mark the anniversary and commit to freedom of religion and belief with the signing of a declaration was held in the Guildhall on Sunday, January 19.

Jews are first recorded to have arrived in England after the Norman conquest. But they were not permitted to own land or to participate in trades, so were limited, primarily, to money lending. Catholic doctrine at the time held that money lending and charging interest was the sin of usury.

The Kings of England used their power to tax the Jews, which in turn required them to demand payment on their loans from their debtors. If the Jews could not secure the tax, then the king could imprison them and seize their property. This property was in many cases the deeds to land, which debtors had used as collateral.

In 1274 King Edward I returned from a crusade. The crusades had allowed the Jews to make a great deal of money by lending money to the English knights who wanted to take part. Additionally, monasteries borrowed money as well to create new churches.

Resentment against the Jews built up, especially amongst their debtors, often the land-owning aristocracy and nobility, and it coincided with racial and religious discrimination widespread at the time.

A contemporary illustration showing the expulsion of the Jews. The image shows the white double tabula that Jews in England were mandated to wear by law. Wikipedia

As a result, Jews were expelled from some towns, often where they had been long present. With Edward’s permission, they were expelled from the dower lands of his mother Eleanor of Provence in January 1275, which included towns such as Guildford, Marlborough, Gloucester, Cambridge and Worcester.

Fifteen years later, under the Edict of Expulsion in 1290, all remaining Jews were expelled from England. They were allowed to take only what the could carry.

Signing the Declaration

To mark the 1275 expulsion from Guildford , civic, religious and community leaders joined together to renew their commitment to the principles of justice, inclusion, and mutual respect.

Reconciliation 750 was an interfaith event supported by the Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker MBE, the Rabbi of Guildford, Alexander Goldberg and the Bishop of Guildford, Rt Rev’d Andrew Watson, and other representatives of the faith communities of Guildford. These included the Imam of Guildford Central Mosque, Imam Redowan Ahmed, and the Hindu Chaplain from University of Surrey, Revd Pt. Meeta Joshi.

Guildford’s Declaration of Freedom of Religion and Belief

They, along with other representatives of Guildford, signed a Declaration of Freedom of Religion and Belief, which affirmed:

commitment to freedom of religion and belief
celebration of diversity
opposition to hate and violence
commitment to mutual respect
honouring the past, building the future

Some of the signatories of the declaration: Pedro Wrobel, CEO GBC, Rev’d Pt Meeta Joshi, Hindu Chaplain from the University of Surrey, Zoe Franklin MP, Julia McShane, leader of GBC, Mayor Sallie Barker, Alexander Goldberg, Rabbi of Guildford, Bishop of Guildford, Rt Rev’d Andrew Watson.

Guests also attended an interfaith memorial service in the grounds of Guildford Castle before walking up the High Street.

A Jewish community was present in Guildford before their expulsion by Queen Eleanor in January 1275 and the symbolic walk paused at a plaque that marks the discovery of an unusual stone chamber, thought to be a medieval synagogue dating back to the 12th century. The chamber was discovered by archaeologists from Guildford Museum in 1995.

Mayor of Guildford Sallie Barker signing the declaration

Welcoming guests to the Guildhall, the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE, said: “Today’s commemoration reminds us of the importance of confronting past injustices and ensuring such discrimination has no place in our borough.

“Diversity is something we choose to value and nurture. So let us continue to work together to ensure that Guildford remains a place where diversity is celebrated, where inclusion is practiced, and where everyone feels they truly belong.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Julia McShane said: ”It was a privilege to sign the declaration today, alongside faith, community and civic leaders in Guildford. The declaration reflects one of our key priorities of building a more inclusive borough.

“We want to be a borough where all our communities are valued, cultures appreciated, and religious diversity respected.

“As we seek to better reflect the communities we serve, we want to work with all faith groups and those with no religious beliefs to build a more inclusive, positive, thriving Guildford.”

The Rabbi of Guildford, Alexander Goldberg, said: “On this solemn 750th anniversary of the expulsion of the Jews from Guildford, it is inspiring to see the Bishop, Mayor, the Council Leader, the Jewish community, and Muslim and Hindu faith leaders come together to reaffirm our commitment to justice, inclusion, and mutual respect.

“Guided by the Guildford Declaration of Freedom of Religion or Belief, we stand united against antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and all forms of hatred. Together, we celebrate diversity, honour the past, and pledge to build a future rooted in coexistence, dignity, and shared responsibility—sharing pride in the rich tapestry that makes up our community in Guildford.”

Imam Redowan Ahmed, Guildford Central Mosque

The Rt Rev’d Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford added: “This has been a powerful and sobering occasion, as we’ve marked the 750th anniversary of a dark day in the history of our town – the expulsion of the Jews from Guildford by order of the then Queen [Dowager].

“Both Church and State were complicit in fuelling that injustice, and today has been an opportunity to acknowledge that. But perhaps its main value has been the opportunity to reflect on religious discrimination in all its forms – learning from the past to shape a better future.”

The declaration in full is copied below.

Guildford Declaration of Freedom of Religion and Belief
Guildford, 19 January 2025

Today, we gather to reflect on a solemn chapter in Guildford’s history. On the 16 of January 1275, the Jewish community of this town was unjustly expelled by Queen Eleanor, an act that left a legacy of sorrow and exclusion. This event serves as a stark reminder of the perils of intolerance and division, and it compels us to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice, inclusion, and mutual respect.

We also honour the resilience and compassion that have defined Guildford’s community through the centuries. During the Second World War, our town extended a hand of refuge to those fleeing persecution, including Jewish child refugees, who found safety and a chance to rebuild their lives here. Their presence enriched our community immeasurably. Refugees and their descendants have continued to shape Guildford, with some contributing to the establishment of the University of Surrey, which stands today as a symbol of learning, innovation, and unity.

Guildford is now a pluralistic, vibrant, and diverse borough, where people of different faiths, beliefs, and cultural traditions come together. This diversity is our strength, and we are committed to fostering a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all.

In marking this significant anniversary, we, the undersigned representatives of Guildford, declare:

Commitment to Freedom of Religion and Belief
We affirm our unwavering dedication to the universal right to freedom of religion and belief. Guildford is a place where individuals and communities can express their faith, spirituality, or beliefs without fear, in mutual harmony and respect.

Celebration of Diversity
We celebrate the rich tapestry of cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity that strengthens our borough. We pledge to nurture greater cultural appreciation and understanding, recognising that our differences are sources of enrichment and inspiration.

Opposition to Hate and Violence
We stand united against all forms of hate, prejudice, and violence. We are resolute in challenging antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and all forms of discrimination, ensuring that Guildford remains a safe and welcoming community for all.

Commitment to Mutual Respect
We pledge to cultivate a culture of mutual respect, where every individual is valued, and communities coexist peacefully.

Honouring the Past, Building the Future
While we remember the injustices of the past, including the expulsion of the Jewish community by Queen Eleanor, we also look forward with hope. Together, we commit to building a future rooted in inclusivity, understanding, and shared responsibility, ensuring that the mistakes of history are not repeated.

Let this declaration serve as a testament to Guildford’s enduring commitment to these values, and as a call to action for all who live and work here to create a community of justice, peace, and harmony.