Presenza ebraica in Rutigliano e Conversano nei secoli XV e XVI

Abstract

The Jews in Rutigliano and Conversano in the 15^th and 16^th Centuries

The present work deals with the publication of the registers of deeds written up in Rutigliano and Conversano (Puglia) during the 15^th and 16^th century by the notaries Antonello de Salatino from Rutigliano and Giacomo di sire Goffredo in Conversano. The transcription of the notarial deeds, done by the late Professor Cesare Colafemmina, is preceded by a short introduction by Diego de Ceglia about the Jewish presence in these two Apulian towns. The large number of the deeds shows how relevant the presence of Jews – most of whom were shepherds or cowherds – must have been within the community. The deeds also include the names of Jews engaged in moneylending at the time, and also in the buying and selling of necessaries and fabrics in Rutigliano, Conversano and other nearby towns. The 16^th-century deeds from Rutigliano shed light on Jews’ economic conditions thanks to their references to the general regulations of the Kingdom of Naples concerning their taxation and exemptions.