early modern

• Huguenots are a group of people living in France, who are Protestants in a predominantly Catholic country
• The Huguenots were encouraged to leave France due to discrimination and persecution because of their religion
• The Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre in France led to over a thousand Protestant Huguenots being murdered in cold blood
• The Huguenots fled France to escape persecution and moved to the closest Protestant country, which was the UK
• In England, the Huguenots thrived and integrated successfully into British society
• Huguenots in Britain engaged in industries such as bookmaking and gun making, which made them wealthy and successful
• France lost successful business people when the Huguenots left, and even asked for them back later, but the Huguenots refused
• The Huguenots' inclusion in Britain contributed to the country's economy and success
• Positive experiences of different immigrant groups in England:

  • John Blanke successfully requested a raise as a royal trumpeter and had his wedding suit paid for by Henry VIII
  • Reasonable Blackman had a successful weaving business, as evidenced by his marriage and three children
  • Mary Fillis, a Moroccan, became a Christian with the help of her employer, a seamstress
  • Walloons were given their own church and permission to own shops only 5 years after arriving
  • Huguenots were protected by monarchs and allowed to resettle in England, finding success in various industries
• Jews:

  • Rabbi Manasseh Ben Israel convinced Oliver Cromwell to allow Jews to return to England
  • Jews were allowed to freely worship in England from 1656
  • Solomon de Medina became the first Jewish person to receive a knighthood from William III
• Flemings initially received favourable treatment in 1561, establishing a community in Sandwich, but were restricted to weaving jobs, leading to resentment
• Romani Gypsies:

  • Arrived in the early 1500s, faced hostility
  • Ordered to leave England in 1530, could be punished by death in 1554
  • Allowed to become citizens from 1562 if they settled in one place
• Negative experiences of different immigrant groups in England:

  • 'Unfree Africans' depicted in portraits of wealthy English people, possibly used as servants or slaves
  • The Palatines arrived in 1708, hoping to get to America, but only half made it, with the rest sent to Ireland and facing abuse
  • Evil May Day 1517 riot led by a sermon from Dr Bell, targeting immigrants and resulting in looting and violence