Discuss the contribution of Jews to trade, royal bureaucracy and scholarship in medieval Europe.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the contributions of Jews to trade, royal bureaucracy and scholarship in medieval Europe. Candidates may offer equal coverage of trade, royal bureaucracy and scholarship, or they may prioritize two of the contributions in their discussion. Candidates may refer to the activities of Jews in money lending and as important traders. Their role in establishing trade networks linking European, Islamic and Byzantine civilizations was significant. Candidates may refer to the activities of Jews in terms of documentation, royal records, and collections of calendar volumes in the 13th century serving both bureaucracy and scholarship. Candidates may discuss the contribution of Jews to scholarly issues of the day in their capacity as physicians and astronomers in royal courts. While other relevant factors, for example the social and legal discrimination Jews faced, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.