Religion: The Legend of Little Hugh

0 yonge Hugh of Lincoln, slayn also With cursed Jewes, as it is notable For it nis but a lit el whyle ago.

So in his Prioresse's Tale Geoffrey Chaucer ended his version of one of the best-known stories of the Middle Ages. "In 1255," according to contemporary Chronicler Matthew Paris, "the Jews of Lincoln stole a boy called Hugh, who was about eight years old." After fattening him up, they were said to have staged a mock re-enactment of the Crucifixion, killing little Hugh to the accompaniment of fiendish tortures. "When the boy was dead," Paris concludes, "they took the body...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!