Different leaders had different attitudes towards Jewish peoples. Many of the laws regarding the Jews were inhibiting of their own personal freedoms, such as being barred from public offices, inter-religious relationships, and the requirement to be identifiably distinguishable from a Christian. In Novella 146, Augustus said that Hebrews were allowed to practice their religion in ordinated areas, as long as they weren’t speaking Hebrew; They were required to speak (typically) Greek or Latin. The Hebrew language was seen as corrupting. In The Third Council of Toledo (589), a publishing designed to “restore ecclesiastical discipline” in Spain at the request of King Reccared (r.586-601), it is stated that “It is not permitted for Jews to have Christian women as wives or concubines, nor purchase slaves for their personal use.” Keeping the Jews and Christians from interbreeding was important as to retain the purity of Christianity. Later,  in 1215, newer laws regarding the Jews are put into place via the Decrees of Lateran IV. The Decrees of Lateran IV made many statements, some regarding Catholicism and others regarding treatment of Jews. In this decree, Jews are demanded to wear particular clothing to remain distinguishable from Christians, as well as disallowing members of the Jewish faith to hold any sort of public office.

With all the different laws and perspectives regarding Jews, the general consensus among Medieval Christians seemed to be that Jews were lesser than Christians, thus deserving lesser treatment than Christians. Although in some cases Jews were favored, and held in particularly high stature, this was not case for the most part. This is illustrated effectively by the first Crusade, where Jewish cities and homes were plundered, and was sparked the beginning of the “irreversibly hostile relationship between Christians and Jews.” Although the violence was not sanctioned, it happened nonetheless, due to the idea of avenging Christ by killing those that killed him; The Jews.