During the reign of King Edward I, the growing mistrust and animosity towards Jewish communities in England reached a critical point. The Edict of Expulsion, formulated in 1290, brought about the systematic banishment of roughly 16,000 Jews from England, who had resided in the region since the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Jews played a vital role in the economy, often engaged in money lending, a profession restricted to them due to Christian prohibitions against usury. This relationship was fraught; while Jews provided financial services, they were also resented and vilified, especially during times of economic hardship.The expulsion was officially announced in July of 1290 and enforced before the end of the year. Jews were given a brief period to gather their belongings and leave the country, facing significant hardships with the loss of property and community ties. Many sought refuge in other parts of Europe but faced similar persecution in those regions. The motivations for the expulsion included a combination of social, economic, and political factors, with Edward I seeking to consolidate power and unify his realm, often at the expense of minority communities.In the years that followed, England would remain officially free of a Jewish population until the mid-17th century when Oliver Cromwell encouraged their return. The expulsion had profound implications for Jewish life in England and contributed to a broader narrative of anti-Semitism that would persist for centuries.