Why did many kings and lords restrict moneylending to Jews?
A) It benefited them financially, since they could tax the Jews heavily and, on occasion, even attack them to free themselves of their debts.
B) In Christian Europe, it was impossible to find Christian moneylenders, since they had been threatened with excommunication by the papacy.
C) Jewish merchants, as a rule, were wealthier than Christian merchants and accordingly had more money to lend.
D) They believed that the Jews did not wish to pursue other economic opportunities available to them in the countryside or the towns.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many kings and lords saw financial advantage in restricting moneylending to Jews. This arrangement allowed them to levy heavy taxes on Jewish moneylenders and, in some cases, to attack or expel them in order to erase their debts. This practice was not only economically beneficial to the rulers but also circumvented the Christian prohibition against usury, as Jews were not bound by Christian laws.

Why Did Many Kings and Lords Restrict Moneylending to Jews