Saint+William+of+Norwich

1141 AD

the myth of Saint William is one of the first 'blood libel" myths-- idea that an international conspiracy of Jews was organizing the murder of Christian children

Saint William is a little boy who is "captured" by local Jews and murdered in a "mockery of Christ's passion:

significance: AGAIN--the wider world and siege-mentality of Europe

there are lots of efforts to convert the Jews by Franciscans and Dominicans but they won't---leads to idea that they are not human and demonic