Research Notes: 

. Jews were prosecuted in England.

. Jews were not allowed to own any land

Jews have been present in England as early as 1066, when the establishment of the first Jewish settlement as recorded. Jews followed William the Conqueror to Britain from Rouen. As in Europe, the Jews faced persecution in England. They could not own land outside the towns or join guilds. Consequently, many turned to money lending, an occupation forbidden to Christians. This at least allowed them to have some financial independence in society, though it was a role for which they were despised.

Essay

I Think that the reason why Shakespeare decided to set the Merchant of Venice in Venice was because Jews first came to England in 1066
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