November 9th - Egica Passes Harsh Law

On this day, in 694, Egica, King of the Visigoths, sentenced all Jews to slavery. This action was not entirely popular as it was considered a little bit harsh.

Egica was the brother of Wamba, daughter of Tulga, and lover of Chumbawumba. He also enjoyed many Beatles tunes and liked that song Zoot Suit Riot.

He was married to Cixilo, Cixilona, Cioxillo, and Cixila, however these may have been the same person. It would certainly be a big coincidence if he married four people with such similar names, unless he had a fetish for that kind of thing.

The story begins at the Seventeenth Council of Teledo, which is considered to be nowhere near as good as the first sixteen councils of Teledo. Egica told of rumours he had heard that Jews were overthrowing Christian leaders and planned to destroy the Christian faith.

Specifically, the law stated that all Jews would have their property taken from them and would themselves become the property of their own Christian slaves. Records show that one Jewish man said "it was probably not the best day of his life."

All Jewish children over the age of seven were taken from their parents and raised as Christians, which is just like being raised Jeish but you get presents at Christmas.

The law he passed against the Jews was considered the most severe anti-Jewish law ever passed by a Visigothic king. He even won "Most Anti-Semitic Visigothic King 694." This is the award that later became the basis for the Oscars.

Egica was mad for a good, harsh law. Shortly before he died he amended a law that said anyone caught stealing would undergo a trial by boiling water. Official records of one man's trial note that as he boiled he yelled "this is probably not the best day of my life."