"Leper scare" Philip V of France

effigies of philip, brother charles , sister-in-law joan

in 1321 alleged conspiracy – leper scare – discovered in france. accusation, apparently unfounded, lepers had been poisoning wells of various towns, , activity had been orchestrated jewish minority, secretly commissioned foreign muslims. scare took hold in febrile atmosphere left shepherds crusade of previous year , legacy of poor harvests of previous decade.

the french jews were, 1321, closely connected french crown; philip had given orders royal officials assist jewish money lenders in recovering christian debts, , local officials arguing crown due inherit estates of dead jewish merchants. following events of 1320, philip involved in fining had attacked jews during shepherds crusade, in practice added further dislike of minority in france. rumours , allegations lepers had been circulated in 1320 well, , had been arrested during crusade.

philip in poitiers in june, involved in tour of south aimed @ reform of southern fiscal system, when word arrived of scare. philip issued edict demanding leper found guilty burnt , goods forfeit crown. king s southern tour , reform plans, although administratively sound modern standards, had created local opposition, , modern historians have linked king s role in poiters sudden outbreak of violence. put philip in difficult position: not openly side claiming wrongdoing lepers, jews, , muslims without encouraging further unnecessary violence; on other hand, if did not ally himself cause, encouraged further unsanctioned violence, weakening royal position. jews did leave france result of leper scare, philip had resisted signing formal edict, limited impact degree.