The Life and Passion of William of Norwich

A new translation of a fascinating chronicle from 12th-century England

A work that holds a unique and terrible place in the history of anti-Semitism, The Life and Passion of William of Norwich gives a remarkable insight into daily life in a medieval cathedral city, while also documenting miracles at the shrine of William, a boy worshippers believed to be murdered by the Jews of Norwich. This was the earliest version of the “blood libel,” a horrible myth of ritual murder which has haunted Europe ever since.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators."The task of the translator is to make the wind not seen but felt. Miri Robinson accomplishes this in her translation...A readable edition rich with scholarship."
-Seth Lere, Times Literary SupplementTHOMAS OF MONMOUTH was a monk in Norwich Cathedral Priory in the mid-twelfth century, but little more is known about his life.

MIRI RUBIN is a professor of medieval and early modern history at Queen Mary University of London.