John V. Tolan befasst sich mit der Geschichte religiöser und kultureller Beziehungen zwischen der arabischen und der lateinischen Welt im Mittelalter. Seine Arbeit untersucht die komplexen Wechselwirkungen und gegenseitigen Einflüsse, die diese beiden Zivilisationen geprägt haben. Tolan widmet sich der rechtlichen Stellung religiöser Minderheiten in der euro-mediterranen Welt und bietet tiefe Einblicke in die historischen Prozesse, die religiöse Landschaften formten. Seine Forschung beleuchtet die langfristigen Auswirkungen dieser mittelalterlichen Beziehungen auf die Gegenwart.
The narrative history of Islam highlights its rich diversity and dynamic evolution, challenging misconceptions that portray it as monolithic and static. It explores the religion's origins in seventh-century Mecca, its interactions with Jewish and Christian traditions, and its expansion across various cultures. The author, John Tolan, utilizes recent research to illustrate the wide-ranging beliefs and practices that have developed over fourteen centuries, providing essential context for understanding contemporary issues within the Muslim world amidst current debates and misunderstandings.
In 1290, Jews were expelled from England and subsequently largely expunged from English historical memory. Yet for two centuries they occupied important roles in medieval English society. England’s Jews revisits this neglected chapter of English history―one whose remembrance is more important than ever today, as antisemitism and other forms of racism are on the rise.Historian John Tolan tells the story of the thousands of Jews who lived in medieval England. Protected by the Crown and granted the exclusive right to loan money with interest, Jews financed building projects, provided loans to students, and bought and rented out housing. Historical texts show that they shared meals and beer, celebrated at weddings, and sometimes even ended up in bed with Christians.Yet Church authorities feared the consequences of Jewish contact with Christians and tried to limit it, though to little avail. Royal protection also proved to be a double-edged when revolts broke out against the unpopular king Henry III, some of the rebels, in debt to Jewish creditors, killed Jews and destroyed loan records. Vicious rumors circulated that Jews secretly plotted against Christians and crucified Christian children. All of these factors led Edward I to expel the Jews from England in 1290. Paradoxically, Tolan shows, thirteenth-century England was both the theatre of fruitful interreligious exchange and a crucible of European antisemitism.
