Norwich Cathedral’s Evolving Approach to a Medieval Tale
In a powerful intersection of history, community dialogue, and modern sensitivity, Norwich Cathedral has begun reconsidering how it presents the story of William of Norwich, a medieval child whose death in 1144 sparked one of England’s earliest blood libel accusations against the Jewish community. This reconsideration forms the heart of a new documentary called “The Innocents,” directed by Jonathan Weinberg and commissioned by the Jewish Small Communities Network. The film captures a meaningful dialogue between faith communities that demonstrates how historical narratives can be reexamined through contemporary understanding.
The documentary delves into the complex history surrounding William of Norwich, whose death became the foundation for centuries of antisemitic mythology. While the cathedral’s previous presentation of William’s story in its chapel didn’t explicitly endorse the blood libel myth – the false accusation that Jews murdered Christians to use their blood in religious rituals – Director Weinberg notes that the manner of presentation remained “a bit offensive to the Jewish community.” This subtle yet significant observation highlights how historical presentations can unintentionally perpetuate harmful narratives even without explicitly supporting them. The film follows Dr. Miri Prinsley from Norwich’s Jewish community as she engages in thoughtful conversation with Cathedral Canon Librarian Dr. Peter Braddock about these sensitivities.
The documentary serves not merely as a critique but as a catalyst for meaningful change and community healing. “The making of the film gave the Jewish community the confidence to speak to the cathedral community about how they felt,” Weinberg explains, underscoring the documentary’s role in facilitating difficult but necessary conversations. This process exemplifies how artistic expression can create space for marginalized communities to voice their concerns about historical narratives that have caused generational harm. The film reveals how seemingly innocent historical presentations can carry the weight of painful histories that continue to affect communities today.
What makes “The Innocents” particularly powerful is its documentation of real change occurring in response to these conversations. In the documentary’s closing scenes, Dr. Braddock acknowledges to Dr. Prinsley that “we need to do this better,” confirming that informational materials about William that contained problematic elements had been removed from the cathedral. This moment reflects a significant institutional willingness to reconsider how religious and historical sites present controversial narratives. The cathedral’s response demonstrates how institutions can model accountability and growth when confronted with the unintended consequences of their historical presentations.
The documentary captures a pivotal moment in an ongoing journey rather than a completed resolution. Representatives from Norwich synagogue and the cathedral have committed to meeting to begin a process of determining how best to tell William’s story in a more “meaningful” way. This commitment to continued dialogue highlights how addressing complex historical narratives requires sustained engagement rather than quick fixes. It suggests a model for how other historical sites might approach similar challenges: through direct community engagement, willingness to receive feedback, and commitment to ongoing revision of historical presentations.
“The Innocents,” which will be shown in cinemas as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival 2025, ultimately tells a story about how communities can confront difficult histories together. The documentary illustrates how historical narratives are never neutral but are constantly reinterpreted through contemporary understandings and sensitivities. By documenting this process of community dialogue and institutional change, the film offers a blueprint for how historical sites throughout the UK and beyond might better navigate the complex task of presenting difficult histories while respecting the communities affected by them. The evolving approach to William of Norwich’s story demonstrates how historical truth and community healing need not be in opposition but can instead inform and strengthen each other.
