FERREOLUS:
Bishop of Uzès, France (553-581). As soon as he had obtained the bishopric he showed great zeal in trying to convert the many Jews of Uzès. At first he treated them kindly, even inviting them to his table. Complaint was brought against him for this action; and Childebert I. banished him to Paris for three years. In 558 Ferreolus, having proved his innocence, returned to his diocese, but changed his attitude toward the Jews. He convoked a synod for the purpose of converting them by persuasion or by force. Many embraced Christianity, and those who resisted conversion were driven from the diocese. After his death (581) several of his converts returned to Judaism.
Bibliography:
- Aronius, Regesten z. Gesch. d. Juden, pp. 11, 12, Berlin, 1900;
- Marcus Antonius Dominici, Vita Ferreoli, p. 27, Paris, 1648;
- E. Nübling, Die, Judengemeinden des Mittelalters, p. 113, Ulm, 1896;
- Gross, Gallia Judaica, p. 24.
