Belia of Northampton
Referred to in records as: “Belia”, “Belia de Norhamton”.
Brief biography

Little is known about Belia of Northampton, except that she was accused of theft and
made an outlaw. Despite her toponym, she seems to have resided in London, but she
may have only been a prisoner there. In October of 1238, the Constable of the Tower
of London (at the time Hugh Giffard) was notified that King Henry III’s Wardrobe at
Windsor had received 40 marks (more than £26) and
jewels of goldthat had been found (by whom is unclear) in Belia’s home. By this time, Belia had
abjured the realm for larceny at London.That Jews could be tried for larceny by the Crown was law that went back to King Henry II (d. 1189). English Jews were permitted to handle many legal cases amongst themselves in accordance with Jewish law, but the exceptions were
homicide, mayhem, deliberate assault, housebreaking, rape, larceny, arson, and treasure trove.
Further reading
- Hillaby, J. and C. Hillaby, The Palgrave Dictionary of Medieval Anglo-Jewish History. London: Palgrave. 2015, s.v. Bet Din, ‘House of Judgementʼ, p. 52.
Dates mentioned in records
1238
Locations
London