"Conversae: The Sorbonne Cartulary and Jewish Converts of 13th Century Paris

This mentored research project supports medieval historian Dr. Stabler-Miller’s work on 13thcentury Paris, focusing on Jewish converts to Christianity, or conversae, who were not fully accepted as Christians. Using the Sorbonne cartulary—a record of property transactions from the early 1200s to 1300s—this project examines interfaith interactions before the expulsion of Jews from France. The cartulary documents King Louis IX’s policy of housing Jewish converts on the Left Bank, contributing to the development of the Sorbonne. These first-generation converts likely received royal pensions, reflecting broader Capetian conversion efforts. By analyzing printed and manuscript sources, this project contextualizes Jewish convert life, interfaith relationships, and the fluidity of Jewish existence. Digital tools such as ArcGIS and historical network analysis will visually map connections, illustrating the role of Jewish converts in the transformation of Paris’s Left Bank and the broader impact of Louis IX’s reign.