Spain: In front of King James I of Aragon
–between the monk Pablo Christiani (a convert from Judaism), and Rabbi Nachmanides (the Ramban).
At the end of the disputation, the king awarded Nachmanides a monetary prize and declared, according to lore, that never before had he heard “an unjust cause so nobly defended.”
Nevertheless, the Dominicans claimed victory and Nachmanides was exiled and his report of the proceedings was condemned and burned.
Other historic disputations (disputationes) include:
1240 CE: Disputation of Paris
(during the reign of Louis IX of France (St. Louis)
1375 CE: Disputation of 1375 in Burgos and Avila
(both in Spain)
1413 CE: Disputation of Tortosa, Spain
staged by the Avignon Pope Benedict XIII
These disputations—under the aegis of powerful Christian personages—tend not to have “happy endings” for Jewish interests.
It is a “lose–lose” proposition for the Jews. If the Jewish advocate prevails in the debate, there are persecutions; if the Jewish advocate does not prevail in the debate, there are persecutions.
Now, back to Nachmanides…
Nachmanides (1194 CE – c.1270 CE), “The Ramban” moves to Jerusalem, where he founds the now–historic Ramban Synagogue. His most famous work is Commentary on the Torah.