This book investigates the history and social standing of Jewish communities in England during the Angevin period (1154-1216). Joseph Jacobs, a prominent folklorist and historian of Jewish life, draws upon a range of primary sources to reconstruct the daily lives, legal status, and economic activities of Jews in medieval England. The work aims to provide a comprehensive account of their integration and eventual persecution within the English social and political landscape.

Joseph Jacobs's work on the Jews of Angevin England is recognized as a foundational text in the study of medieval Anglo-Jewish history. Scholars have noted its meticulous research and its early attempt to present a detailed social and economic history of this community. While some interpretations may have been updated by subsequent scholarship, the book remains a valuable resource for understanding the complex relationship between the Crown, the Church, and the Jewish population during this pivotal era.