Medieval Migration - Experience of Migrants

Question 1

Did the poor hate their Norman rulers during King William I’s rule?

Answer 1

The poor often hated their Norman rulers and there were several rebellions in the early years of King William I’s rule, which were violently suppressed.

Question 2

What was the threat posed to King William I’s rule by Anglo-Danish lords?

Answer 2

Anglo-Danish lords who lost their land and property to William’s Norman lords posed a threat to his rule. Some joined King Sweyn of Denmark’s invasion of England in 1069, although unsuccessfully.

Question 3

What was the main threat to Norman kings according to the text?

Answer 3

The main threat to Norman kings would be their own relatives and other lords who challenged their position, leading to civil wars over the centuries.

Question 4

How did conditions for Jews in England deteriorate during the 12th and 13th centuries?

Answer 4

Conditions for Jews worsened due to increasing anti-Semitic attacks, particularly during the Crusades, fueled by blame for the death of Jesus and resentment towards their perceived special treatment and connections with rulers.

Question 5

What were some key events that contributed to the worsening conditions for Jews in England?

Answer 5

Events such as the Blood Libel accusations in Norwich (1144), massacres in London (1189) and York (1190), and the imposition of heavy taxes by King Henry III (1250) all contributed to worsening conditions for Jews.

Question 6

What was the impact of King Edward I’s Statute of Jewry (1275)?

Answer 6

The Statute of Jewry prohibited Jews from collecting interest, led to the destruction of the archa, and forced Jews into extreme poverty, ultimately culminating in the expulsion of all remaining Jews from England in 1290.

Question 7

What was the significance of the Blood Libel accusations in Norwich and Lincoln?

Answer 7

Accusations of ritual murder in Norwich (1144) and Lincoln (1255) fueled anti-Semitic sentiment and led to violence against Jews, perpetuating the Blood Libel myth across Europe.

Question 8

How did King Edward I’s policies contribute to the expulsion of Jews from England?

Answer 8

King Edward I’s policies, including the Statute of Jewry and the imposition of heavy taxes, worsened conditions for Jews, leading to their expulsion from England in 1290.

Question 9

What was the fate of the Jews who were expelled from England in 1290?

Answer 9

The expelled Jews, numbering around 3000, were forced to become refugees and leave for northern Europe, facing hardships including death during the journey.

Question 10

How do surviving documents from the Medieval period provide insight into immigration in England?

Answer 10

Surviving documents such as letters, court records, and tax records, particularly the alien subsidy returns, detail information about immigrants in Medieval England, including their names, occupations, and places of residence.

Question 11

What was the attitude towards immigrants in Medieval England, particularly during the later Middle Ages?

Answer 11

In the later Middle Ages, immigrants were generally welcomed and officially received warm reception, especially in the 14th century. They were often sought after to fill the workforce gap after events like the Black Death.

Question 12

What rights and protections were granted to immigrants in Medieval England?

Answer 12

Immigrants were granted rights such as protection under the law, including the right to be tried by a half-alien jury (1354), and later, letters of denization (after 1370) which granted them the same rights and protection as English citizens.

Question 13

What was the impact of the Black Death on immigration in Medieval England?

Answer 13

The Black Death led to a significant shortage of workers and artisans in England, prompting the welcoming of immigrants to fill the gap in the workforce.

Question 14

How did immigrants contribute to Medieval English society?

Answer 14

Immigrants in Medieval England contributed to various occupations, including goldsmiths, bakers, innkeepers, doctors, priests, farm laborers, tailors, brewers, and weavers, integrating into local communities and sometimes rising to positions of prominence.

Question 15

What evidence suggests the presence of people from Asia or Africa in Medieval England?

Answer 15

Entries in tax records, archaeological finds, and DNA evidence suggest the presence of people from Asia or Africa in Medieval England, indicating the diverse origins of immigrants during that time.

Question 16

How were immigrants in Medieval England vulnerable during times of crisis?

Answer 16

Immigrants could be vulnerable and at risk of violent attacks during times of crisis, as seen in measures taken by rulers such as expulsion and arrest, fueled by pressure from English merchants and guilds.

Question 17

How did craft guilds in Medieval English cities view foreign workers?

Answer 17

Craft guilds, particularly in cities like London, saw foreign workers as a threat to their members’ livelihoods due to beliefs that they undercut wages, leading to pressure on rulers to impose controls on immigrant workers.

Question 18

What measures were taken by English rulers against immigrants during the Medieval period?

Answer 18

Measures such as expulsion, arrest, and forced cohabitation with English householders, as seen under King Henry III (1270), King Edward II (1325), and King Richard II (1439), were imposed due to pressure from English merchants and guilds.

Question 19

What actions were taken against wealthy foreigners in Medieval England?

Answer 19

Wealthy foreigners were often hated and seen as aligned with rulers, leading to violent attacks such as murders during events like the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, where about 150 foreign weavers and merchants were killed in London.

Question 20

How were ‘enemy aliens’ treated during times of war in Medieval England?

Answer 20

During times of war, ‘enemy aliens’ could have their goods confiscated or be deported, leading to expulsions of groups such as Flemish merchants, French migrants, and Irish immigrants from England.

Question 21

What was the significance of the 1440 alien subsidies in understanding the lives of medieval immigrants?

Answer 21

The 1440 alien subsidies provide detailed information about the lives of medieval immigrants, including their names, occupations, and places of residence, serving as a valuable source despite being a result of anti-foreigner pressure.