Early Modern Migration - Experiences of Migrants

Question 1

Why were most Walloons and Huguenots well-received in England?

Answer 1

Most Walloons and Huguenots were well-received in England because they were seen as allies and fellow Protestants.

Question 2

What significant event occurred in the 1680s regarding the Huguenots and King Charles II?

Answer 2

In the 1680s, King Charles II granted denization to the Huguenots, mainly because they were victims of the French King Louis XIV, who was England’s greatest enemy at the time.

Question 3

How were Walloons and Huguenots treated in terms of religious freedom compared to English Nonconformists and Catholics?

Answer 3

While English Nonconformists and Catholics were not allowed to worship freely, Walloons and Huguenots were allowed to have their own churches.

Question 4

How did the Anglican Church support the refugees?

Answer 4

The Anglican Church organized collections of money to help support the refugees, many of whom were poor and dependent on handouts.

Question 5

Where did most Walloons and Huguenots settle in England?

Answer 5

Most Walloons and Huguenots settled mainly in London and the south-east of England, often setting up communities in distinct areas such as Soho in London.

Question 6

Besides religion, what other reasons contributed to the welcoming of Walloons and Huguenots in England?

Answer 6

Besides religion, Walloons and Huguenots were also welcomed because they brought much-needed skills and wealth that helped to boost England’s economy.

Question 7

What were some of the skills and industries introduced by Walloons and Huguenots to England?

Answer 7

Walloons and Huguenots introduced skills such as wool and silk weaving, feather and fan work, high-quality clock making, woodcarving, papermaking, clothing design, and cutlery making.

Question 8

What occurred during the events known as ‘Evil May Day’ in 1517?

Answer 8

In 1517, ‘Evil May Day’ saw serious anti-foreigner riots in London, incited by preachers like Dr. Bell who vilified foreigners as “aliens” and blamed them for taking jobs and resources from locals.

Question 9

Who were the targets of the riots during ‘Evil May Day’?

Answer 9

The riots targeted Hanseatic merchants, Lombard bankers at the Steelyard, and rich foreigners in the royal court, reflecting a general resentment towards immigrants profiting at the expense of locals.

Question 10

What were the consequences of ‘Evil May Day’?

Answer 10

Government troops eventually quelled the riots, leading to the conviction and hanging of 14 rioters for treason. Over time, English and Dutch merchants rose in prominence, leading to the expulsion of Hanseatic merchants in 1597.

Question 11

How were Protestant refugees, particularly the Palatine Germans, initially received in England?

Answer 11

Initially, Protestant refugees like the Palatine Germans were welcomed, with church congregations raising funds to support them. However, their welcome waned due to economic hardships and the discovery that some were Catholics seeking relief from poverty, not persecution.

Question 12

What challenges did Palatine Germans face in England, and what were the government’s solutions?

Answer 12

Palatine Germans faced poverty and discrimination. The government initially set up refugee camps and planned to send them to America or Ireland, but most returned home due to hardship.

Question 13

Describe the persecution faced by Gypsies during the Early Modern period.

Answer 13

Gypsies faced extreme persecution, including expulsion orders, criminalization of their identity, and executions. Forced transportation into slavery in North America and the Caribbean also began in the 1650s.

Question 14

Who else faced persecution in England towards the end of the 16th century?

Answer 14

Catholic priests, especially those from France, Spain, or Italy, faced persecution, risking execution if caught celebrating Mass. Additionally, some Huguenot refugees faced occasional anti-foreigner riots and resentment from locals fearing job competition.

Question 15

How were Africans living in Tudor England typically employed?

Answer 15

Africans in Tudor England held various occupations, including court trumpeter, shoemaker, needlemaker, and servant, indicating a range of roles within society.

Question 16

How were black people generally treated in Tudor England?

Answer 16

Despite the involvement of state-sponsored pirates like John Hawkins and Francis Drake in the Portuguese trade in enslaved Africans, black people living in England were generally free. Although racist attitudes existed, there are examples of fair treatment, such as Queen Elizabeth I refusing a Dutch sea captain’s proposal to deport black people and King Henry VIII granting a pay rise to John Blanke, one of his trumpeters.

Question 17

How did religious differences compare to racial differences in Tudor England?

Answer 17

In Tudor England, religious differences were more significant than racial differences. It was likely easier to be black than Catholic during this time.

Question 18

What was Oliver Cromwell’s stance towards Jews in Early Modern England?

Answer 18

Oliver Cromwell invited Jews to return to Britain in 1656, despite some opposition. The first group arrived from Spain and settled in East London, where they were allowed to trade and work in finance, although they did not have full rights.

Question 19

How did the treatment of Jews in Early Modern England vary?

Answer 19

While some Jews became wealthy and formed small communities in London and coastal cities, others worked as poor street traders and likely faced prejudice and discrimination.

Question 20

What changes occurred for people of African and Asian origin in Britain from the late 1600s?

Answer 20

From the late 1600s, life became more difficult for people of African and Asian origin in Britain due to the growth of the British Empire and the trade in enslaved Africans, resulting in larger numbers of forced migrants and the emergence of ideas about racial superiority.

Question 21

How did Indian and African servants come to Britain during this time?

Answer 21

Indian child servants and ayahs (nannies) arrived with East India Company families, while African servants were brought from the Caribbean or directly from Africa to serve wealthy families.

Question 22

What was the impact of the fashion for wealthy families to have African or Indian child servants?

Answer 22

While these children were often well looked after, they lived far from their families and were patronized. Their lives could be lonely, surrounded by people of a different culture and language, and some were abandoned when they were no longer children.

Question 23

What role did the Royal African Company play in this period?

Answer 23

The Royal African Company managed a growing trade in enslaved Africans, who were taken to work on sugar and tobacco plantations in the Americas. This trade contributed to the development of ideas about racial hierarchy to justify slavery and empire.

Question 24

How was the treatment of servants in Britain during this time?

Answer 24

Treatment varied from kindness to extreme violence, and while enslavement was not lawful in Britain, some Africans and Indians working as servants were not free. Court cases and advertisements about runaways indicate the complexities of their legal status.

Question 25

What occupations did black residents hold in Britain during this period?

Answer 25

Black residents held various occupations, including innkeepers, barmaids, farm laborers, maids, washerwomen, laborers, cooks, and sailors, indicating their integration into society despite challenges.