#178: The Vanished Jews of England II: 1290-1650

From History For The Curious by R Aubrey Hersh;Mena Reisner.

• Published: Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:43:01 +0000
• Duration: 48:55
• Audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4abvuav57dkz4b9f/HC071_-_Ep_177_-_English_Briefs_Part_2_assembled_mixdown8kvto.mp3
• Page: https://rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com/e/178-the-vanished-jews-of-england-ii-1290-1650/
• TorahApp: https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_history-curious?e=rabbiaubreyhersh.podbean.com%2F0b33703a-0e0d-34a2-8d5b-e87548fb9de1

Small groups of crypto-Jews are known to have made their way to England. We know the names and occasionally the stories of some. But no one had a greater impact on England’s history or on Queen Elizabeth I, than Roger Lopez: Physician, Double Agent, Diplomat & Court Jew.   Jews were News even during the period of their supposed forced absence.   And what is the real story behind Henry VIII’s set of Talmud?  

Chapters

00:00:00 Doctor Lopez and the Earl of Leicester

00:00:26 Podcast Introduction and Listener Letter 

00:36:32 Rodrigo Lopez: Early Life and Arrival in England 

00:05:10 Lopez’s Rise and Role at Court 

00:08:14 Espionage and the Don Antonio Affair 

00:09:41 Jewish Community as Diplomatic Asset 

00:11:02 International Intrigue and Spanish Spies 

00:13:39 The Spanish Armada and Aftermath 

00:15:22 Lopez’s Espionage and Double Agency 

00:16:40 The Andrada Case and Rising Suspicion

00:19:12 Arrest and Trial of Lopez 

00:21:52 Charges, Confession, and Execution 

00:24:35 Was Lopez Guilty?

00:27:08 Lopez’s Legacy and Impact on Literature 

00:30:44 Jewish Life in England: 1300s–1400s 

00:32:50 Conversos and Marranos in Tudor England 

00:36:32 Risks and Persecution of Marranos 

00:38:42 Elizabethan Era and Secret Jewish Life 

00:40:35 Religious Practice and Open Jews

00:43:10 Persistence of Jewish Identity

00:45:12 The Talmud in England: The Henry VIII Legend 

00:48:35 Conclusion and Next Series Teaser