Vincenzo Per la Gratia di dio Duca di Mantova et di Monferrato &c.

(ITALIAN JUDAICA)

Casale

1611

- UNKNOWN BLOOD LIBEL IN CASALE MONFERATTO)

Proclamation protecting the Jews of Casale from a blood libel. A Christian boy, age 11, had an altercation with a Jewish lad age, 6. The Christian was seen leaving a Jewish house bleeding. The antisemitic gentiles at the scene made a hue and cry of a blood libel taking place, accusing the Jews of using his blood for religious purposes. The Christians in the Duchy of Monferatto were aroused to do harm to the Jews. However,Vincenzo Gonzaga, the Duke of Mantua and Casale Monferrato intervened issuing this proclamation protecting the Jews, stating that a thorough investigation into the matter proved the allegations to be false. Anyone spreading such false rumors would have to pay a hefty fine. This incident seems to be completely unknown to the historical literature of this area in Italy including S, Simonsohn’s monumental work on the history of the Jews in the Duchy of Mantua. This broadside is not cited in any bibliography known to us.