©P.E.Blanche 1998
The "Old" Synagogue, King Street.
Available records for researchers:
See comments.
The "Old" Synagogue is in King Street
and the Cemetery is in St. Dunstan's.There has been quite a strong Jewish presence in Canterbury over the years and some of the names still survive to remind of this fact. Jewry Lane is located off Stour Street behind the County Hotel and The "Old" Synagogue is set back from the road on the North side of King Street in the Blackfriars area. I regret than I cannot comment of the actual age of this building but there fact that it is described as "old" is more likely derived from the quaint Kent custom of giving this label to something that is no longer used for what it was originally intended. In fact, it is now used by the King School as a music room.
One of Canterbury's most famous streets, Mercery Lane, came by it's name because Soloman the Mercer once occupied a shop on the corner of the Lane. Again, I'm afraid I cannot, at present, give the precise date when he lived here.
At the time of Richard I, there was a healthy Jewish community already living in Canterbury and it is said that their "contribution" (I don't think they were given a lot of choice) to fund the Crusades at the time, was the third highest from a Jewish community in England, behind only London and Lincoln. At the time of Edward III, all Jews were expelled from England and as a consequence, thirteen houses were left vacant in Canterbury which was a much smaller town than it is now, probably having a total population of about 6,000. It seems that at the time they left, quite a few prominant citizens, including the monks in the Abbey, were able to breathe a great deal easier as their debts disappeared when the community went. When Jews were once again admitted back into England, it seems that the people of Canterbury were again quick to borrow money and the Courts were soon busy with actions being taken on overdue notes and debts.
I am sorry I cannot more more specific on dates in this section or give more in the way of substantial information. However, should I find additional material I will add it later on. One of the main reasons for including this section now is to give some detail about the little known Jewish Cemetery in Canterbury. It is located in the parish of St. Dunstan's, just beyond the beginning of the Whitstable Road. In fact, when I last visited Canterbury on holiday in 1995, I had two people stop me and ask me where it was which was lucky for them as they might have asked the majority of the current population of Canterbury who wouldn't have known a thing about it. In a recent notice I have received from The Canterbury Cathedral Archives, I am advised that they now hold a transcription and translation of the monumental inscriptions.
Addition about The Cemetery (March, 1998):
A small article has recently appeared in the local Kentish Gazette Newspaper which states that a grant of £42,000 from the National Lottery will be used to complete renovations on this nearly forgotten cemetery. The balance of the money required will be provided by Canterbury City Council. At present the Cemetery is closed while these renovation are being undertaken but eventually the grounds will be opened from dawn until dusk each day. The cemetery contains 150 graves from burials that took place here between 1760 and 1930.