It was formerly
known as Aaron the Jew’s House, and is one of the earlier extant town houses in
England.
Dating from the
mid-twelfth century, the building originally consisted of a hall at first floor
level, measuring approximately 12 by 6 metres, above service and storage spaces
at ground level.
The house had
traditionally been associated with the thriving Jewish community in Medieval
Lincoln. In 1255, and again in 1290, however, anti-Semitic feelings rose to
fever pitch, and the Jewish community was expelled from England; the Jew's
House supposedly being seized from a Jewish owner.
The building
has remained continuously occupied to the present day, and is currently in
commercial use. It lies on a very steep hill (aptly named Steep Hill) in the
heart of the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
