No very marked change took place in respect to agriculture or trade
during the Norman period. Jews are mentioned in a few cases in Saxon
records, but they apparently did not enter England in any number until
after William the Conqueror's accession. They soon got control of
much of the trade, and were the only capitalists of the time.
They were protected by the Kings in money lending at exorbitant rates
of interest. In turn, the Kings extorted immense sums from them.
The guilds (S106), or associations for mutual protection among
merchants and manufacturers, now became prominent, and in time they
acquired great political influence.