* Dr Anthony Bale (Birkbeck, University of London)
* Dr Nadia Valman (Queen Mary, University of London)
* Professor John Arnold (Birkbeck, University of London)

Many medieval Christians believed that Jews committed crimes against Christian children and were out to destroy their religion and way of life. They retaliated with violence of their own, denying Jews theright to religious freedom and peace. Dr Bale’s new book Feeling Persecuted: Christians, Jews and Images of Violence in the Middle Ages (Reaktion Books, 2010) exposes how the images of Christian suffering and persecution were central to medieval ideas of love, community and home. By examining poetry, drama, visual culture, theology and philosophy, he reveals the recreational persecution of Jews as a part of medieval life and culture. The book forms the starting point for this round-table discussion.

This event has been recorded and is available as a podcast at the following URL:
http://backdoorbroadcasting.net/2011/02/interpreting-imaginary-jews/