The servitude of jews and muslims in the medieval Mediterranean : origins and diffusion

The relationship between the concept of the Jew or Muslim as servus camere regie and other types of servitude remains unclear. This article first examines the early use of the terminology in the Spanish kingdoms and in Germany, England and France. For Germany, a close comparison with the status of the ministeriales suggests that the positive concept of honourable service to the crown must be taken into account in assessing the «servitude» of German Jews. The negative impact of theological ideas of Jewish servitude is examined. The spread of the concept of the servus camere regie from Germany to Sicily and its application to Muslims in Southern Italy and Spain is analysed. The reaction of Jews and Muslims to this status is briefly discussed. It is shown that by the end of the Middle Ages the negative connotations of service by Jews and Muslims to the crown had triumphed over the positive ones.Abulafia David. The servitude of jews and muslims in the medieval Mediterranean : origins and diffusion. In: Mélanges de l'École française de Rome. Moyen-Age, tome 112, n°2. 2000. pp. 687-714