MANESSIER DE VESOUL:

By: Richard Gottheil, Joseph Jacobs

French communal leader; originally from Vesoul and probably of the family of Héliot of Vesoul, whose ledger has been published by Isidore Loeb (in "R. E. J." viii., ix.). He is chiefly known in connection with the Paris community. It was he who negotiated forthe return of the Jews to France about the year 1358. He was appointed by the king "procureur général" of the Jews, with the function of granting or withholding the right of entrance into France to every individual Jew, being in turn responsible for their contributions to the treasury. He held this position as late as 1376. Associated with him about 1370 was one Jacob de Pont St. Maxence. After a time these two quarreled, and Jacob accused Manessier and Vivant (Manessier's brother) of certain malversations in his office, of having established a synagogue without the king's permission, and of having pronounced an edict of excommunication contrary to the provisions of the act of Parliament of Feb. 3, 1374. Manessier was imprisoned in the Châtelet, Paris. The king's proctor demanded a fine, with imprisonment until the fine had been paid. It is, however, probable that this was remitted, as Manessier afterward recovered his credit with the court, after having made peace with Jacob.

G. J.