The king, therefore, with an appearance of pious zeal, which was either prompted by the dictates of his own conscience, or adopted in deference to the spirit of the times, commanded steps to be taken to make the Jews――apparently at least――respect the Christian faith. The first means adopted with a view to this object were, as might have been expected in that age, of a compulsory nature. In the seventh year of this reign, the king issued a proclamation, directing that any Jew who was heard openly to revile the divinity of Christ, should be forthwith put to death; and if convicted of being a common blasphemer, should be punished according to the law in such cases.¹ ¹ See Appendix B. The Jews insisted, however, that they should not be called by the name of Christian, considering such an epithet, when applied to them, a defamation of character. Accordingly we find, that when a Jewish woman was once called a Christian, and affirmed to have been baptized, her husband joined with her in an action for scandal and defamation, and appealed to the king for justice. The king actually sent a formal writ, concerning it, to his justices, commanding them to try the matter by an inquisition of Christians and Jews, and obtain for the parties redress, if slandered.¹ To this circumstance may the origin of the new enactment be ascribed, viz., that Jewish females should also wear distinguishing badges. ¹ See Appendix C. For by an edict subsequently issued by the king, the direction with respect to the wearing of badges was extended to Jewesses as well as to Jews; and orders were at the same time given to see that no Christian served any Jew in any menial capacity. In addition to these regulations, which were solely of a temporal nature, measures were also taken with respect to the Jews, which had reference to the promotion of their spiritual welfare. For about the same time, certain friars of the order of the Dominicans undertook to preach to the Jews, and vouched to convince them of the truth of the Christian faith, if the Jews could only be prevailed upon to listen to their preaching. They therefore petitioned the king to force all the Jews to attend their sermons. To forward their pious intentions, the king issued writs to the sheriffs and bailiffs of the different towns where the Jews resided, commanding that the Jews should be compelled to attend such places as the friars should appoint, and be forced to listen to the lectures which were delivered, with attention, and without disturbance.¹ The king, on his part, conceded a portion of the advantages to which he had heretofore been entitled, from the power he possessed over the property of the converted Jews. Letters patent were published, declaring that for the future seven years, any Jew, who might become a Christian, should retain the moiety of his property to his own use; the other half was secured to the house of converts, founded by the late king, to be applied (together