People - Elias of Coventry (1194)

Elias lived in Coventry in 1194. He is recorded as contributing the equivalent of £1,000 to the King's Ransom for Richard the Lionheart

Elias, a Jewish resident of Coventry in 1194 contributed to the ransom for King Richard the Lionheart. 

King Richard's imprisonment was a somewhat embarrassing incident in British History that perhaps you had not been told about? 

The Northampton “Donum” records the “Donations” collected towards the 150,000 Marks - 35 Tons of Silver! -  demanded by the Austrians for Richard’s return. 

We see that Elias of Coventry contributed 11 Shillings and 9 Pence in total – the equivalent of around £1,000 now.

See these Links for further information:  (Note: These are external links for which we have no responsibility for the content)

• Reference to Elias of Coventry at British History Online