Migration to Britain 1000-1500 Medieval Summary Flashcards
Why did the Normans come to Britain?
In 1066 William of Normandy led an army to claim the English throne after the death of Edward the Confessor. William claimed that Edward had promised him the throne when he died. Edward had lived in Normandy before becoming king and his mother was Norman. England was a wealthy country.
William defeated the Saxon king Harold II at the Battle of Hastings and was crowned king of England on Christmas Day 1066 and conquered.
How were the Normans treated?
The Normans faced considerable resistance, firstly at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Following the defeat of Harold, William faced multiple rebellions across the country. In 1069 Anglo-Danish nobles supported an unsuccessful invasion by the Danish king Sweyn, leading William to devastate northern England (harrying of the North).
There were also constant rebellions from resistance fighters in the forests and the English lord Hereward who attacked from the Island of Ely. Eventually William was able to defeat these rebels and gain control.
What was the political impact of Norman migration?
William seized land from the Anglo-Danish lords and gave it to his Norman barons instead. William also introduced the feudal system to England, giving him significant control over the whole country and rewarding his barons and bishops with land in return for loyalty. The Normans also took control of the Church and replaced Anglo-Danish bishops with Norman ones.
William introduced harsh new laws to control the Anglo-Saxon people such as ‘Murdum’ which fined everyone who lived in an area if a Norman was killed unless the murderer was caught within five days.
What was the economic impact of Norman migration?
The Feudal system had a big economic impact, with land and wealth being redistributed amongst the Norman nobility. William also set up the Domesday survey in 1085 to record who owned land and who lived on it so that he could tax the population.
Additionally, the Normans abolished slavery after the Domesday survey, although 70% of the population were serfs and were forced to work on the land for the landowners.
What was the social/cultural impact of Norman migration?
The Normans introduced a system of surnames to show people’s occupations and where they had migrated from.
They also introduced a new language, Old French. Over time, Old English and Old French combined to become a new language.
Why did the Jews come to Britain?
Jews were invited to England by William the Conqueror from across Europe. In the Middle Ages few people could write and do accounts, which most Jewish people could.
In the Middle Ages it was considered a sin for Christians to lend money and collect interest (usury). Kings and bishops wanted to borrow money to build castles and cathedrals so Jews were encouraged to become moneylenders. Some Jews became very rich as a result.
How were the Jews treated?
At first Jews were allowed to trade and mix freely – Henry I gave them a charter of liberties. Monarchs also agreed to protect Jews by giving them access to castles in times of danger, in return for higher taxes.
However, ill-feeling grew towards Jews as a result of high rates of interest. The Crusades also led to the view of Jews as the ‘other’. In 1144 a book written by Thomas of Monmouth claimed that Jews were planning to ritually murder a Christian child every Good Friday. This became known as the ’blood libel’. The Church encouraged this lie with propaganda and by the end of the 12th century hatred of Jews was actively encouraged by the government and the Church. In 1189 there were attacks against Jews in London and in York 1190 hundred of Jews were murdered or committed suicide to avoid being burnt alive. Kings started seizing Jewish property and Jews were regularly attacked and expelled from many towns. Edward I passed a law banning Jews from collecting interest and in 1290 he expelled the remaining 3000 Jews from England and seized their homes.
What was the political impact of Jewish migration?
English kings became more powerful as they could finance castles and build up their military forces. The seizure of the wealth of Jews by kinds such as Edward I also increased the power of the English crown.
What was the economic impact of Jewish migration?
Thanks to the moneylending of Jews and record keeping skills, England experienced significant economic growth and many Norman castles and cathedrals were financed with Jewish loans.
In the towns where they lived, Jewish moneylenders made it possible for local businesses to start up with loans to get them on their feet.
What was the social/cultural impact of Jewish migration?
As a result of Jews arriving in England, antisemitism grew and ideas like the Blood Libel developed, which was spread by the church. England was the first place to make Jews wear a yellow badge, a measure copied by Nazis in the 20th century.
The Blood Libel spread across Europe, leading to waves of antisemitism and many Jews being murdered or forced to flee to Eastern Europe.
Why did Flemish Weavers come to Britain?
Flemish migrants (modern Belgium and the Netherlands) came to England for a number of different reasons – some were leaving as their lands were town apart by war, whilst some came to England seeking higher wages and a better life.
How were Flemish Weavers treated?
Flemish weavers in particular were welcomed due to their cloth making skills which helped to grow the economy. They received royal protection from the crown to settle and work under the king’s protection.
Some Flemish people experienced a mixed reception. There was growing hostility towards foreign migrants, who were seen as threatening English jobs. During the Great Rebellion of 1381 there were attacks on foreigners and about 140 Flemish were killed. The story goes that they were asked to say the words ‘bread and cheese’ and if they answered with an accent, they were beheaded.
Kings used migration for their own advantage and could be quite volitle e.g. In 1270, one month after inviting foreign clothworkers, King Henry III reversed his decision and expelled all except the skilled weavers.
What was the economic impact of Flemish Weavers migration?
Flemish weavers helped to kick start a manufacturing economy in England and began to develop the cloth making industry, with towns such as Castle Combe in Wiltshire becoming wealthy by making and selling cloth. They passed on skills to the English population and gave work to sheepshearers, fullers and dyers. Some weavers travelled to Manchester and helped to establish the textile trade.
Dutch women taught brewers in East Anglia how to make beer using hops rather than with barley. Flemish brick makers were highly regarded and their styles influenced house construction.
What was the social/cultural impact of Flemish Weavers migration?
Cities like London became increasingly multi-cultural as the Flemish people integrated into English society.
Why did Hanseatic Merchants come to Britain?
The Hanseatic League were a major trading organisation that operated from northern European cities around the Baltic and North Seas. They were invited to come to England during the reign of Edward I to help to grow the economy and establish international trade.
