Final answer:
In the Middle Ages, Jews often faced persecution, expulsion, and discriminatory laws. Persecution worsened during the Crusades, but there were periods of relative peace in Muslim-ruled areas where protections under Islamic law allowed for coexistence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Middle Ages, Jews were often subjected to persecution, expulsion, and discriminatory laws. While the situation was not uniform and some kings, such as Louis the Pious, granted freedoms to Jewish people, the position of Jews during this period was generally precarious. Accused of Christ's death and often blamed for events such as plagues or famines, they faced various restrictions like being unable to own land or marry Christians, and had limited career options. Although some Jewish people achieved high status as literate members of society, useful in commerce and record keeping, they were still often isolated in separate districts or ghettoes. During the Crusades, persecution intensified as they were labeled "killers of Christ." The situation in Muslim-ruled areas was sometimes better, as Jewish and Christian people were considered "protected" under Islamic law, which led to periods of relative peace and coexistence, yet this depended on the temperament and policies of the ruling powers.