Medieval migration

• 800-1500 Migration in Medieval England
• Key groups in Medieval England

  • Vikings
  • Normans
  • Jewish People
  • Other European Traders and Craftsmen
• Vikings


  • People from Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They settled in England from 865.
• Normans


  • People from Normandy in Northern France. Invaded England in 1066.
• Jewish People


  • Invited by King William I in the 1070s to work as moneylenders.
• Other European Traders and Craftsmen


  • 1351, Weavers from the Low Countries were invited by King Henry III to weave in England. People from Lombardy came to replace Jewish moneylenders when antisemitism became more common. German Hanseatic merchants traded out of London.
• Key factors for migration in Medieval England


  • Church
  • Government
  • Economics and trade
  • Invading
• Church


  Christian country and support of the Church important to ruling e.g. Normans used the Church. Attracted other Christian migrants.
• Government


  Monarch mainly. Parliaments were called to approve taxes and laws. King William I invited Jewish migrants. Henry III invited Lombardy bankers and Flemish weavers. Governments could give rights e.g. to trade. Edward I expelled Jews.
• Economics and trade


  England was rich in resources and had trading links across Europe. Work opportunities attracted migrants. Economic growth was funded by Jewish and Lombardy bankers.
• Invading


  The Vikings and Normans migrated to England because they were invaders.
• The Great Army of the Vikings settled after 865. 866 they captured York and used it to defeat the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia by 878.
• Alfred the Great and the Battle of Edington (878) successfully defended against Viking invasions, leading to the Treaty of Wedmore, which divided England between the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. Half the country was under Danelaw.
• Vikings brought over their families and settled in the Danelaw. Only Wessex remained Anglo-Saxon.
• Viking ('Danes') general experiences


  • Violent-especially at the beginning
  • Norse mythology and religion
  • Spoke Norse and told sagas
  • Women had rights
• King Cnut became king of England in 1016. Also king of Norway in 1028 so led to more trade with Norway and Denmark.
• Danelaw


  Area under Danish laws. The basis of Viking law was 'do not kill' and 'do not steal'.
• Language


  Many Old Norse words, such as "smile" and "knife, places ending in 'gate', 'thorpe,' 'by or 'by'. The days of the week are named after Norse gods.
• Church


  Kept Saxon church in York (York minister). 939 Archbishop Wulfstan negotiated the border between the Viking and Anglo-Saxons. Coins had two sides: one side a Christian symbol, on the other a pagan one, showing the trade integration. Many Vikings such as King Guthrum, converted to Christianity.
• York was captured by the Vikings in 866. But why York? CRAFT (the Vikings were CRAFTY): center of Anglo-Saxon government in the North, River Ouse linked York to the North Sea, lots of fertile land, rich and had a MINT (to make coins), easy access to trade routes on Roman roads. Many specialist trades such as blacksmiths.
• In York, Saxons and Vikings generally got on. But elsewhere fighting was common and Saxon rulers had to fight the Vikings.
• 867-Saxons tried to push Vikings out of York (failed). 927 King Athelstan conquered large part of Viking land and York. 939 Vikings recaptured York. Vikings were paid the Danegeld to leave. This didn't work, leading to the St Brice's Day massacre in 1002 CE where many Danes were massacred. 1016-35 Viking King Cnut ruled all England.
• Viking impacts on York


  • Multicultural: York attracted merchants from Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland
  • 10,000-15,000 migrants settled in York. Before it was 1,000 people living there.
  • European trade increased. Amber from the Black Sea region, Hone stone from Scandinavia, and gold/silver from Europe and Ireland.
  • Trade Routes. Trade flourished on old Roman roads as well as to Europe. E.g. tin, amber, Hone stone, and precious metals. Tin from Cornwall, Viking coins have been found across England.
  • Artisans: Skilled Crafts people prospered, including clothworkers, wood-turners, jewelry-makers, and metalworkers.
  • Language: lots of Viking names were used in the city of York, such as 'gate' which is Norse for street.
• William claimed he'd been promised the throne in Harold Godwinson's embassy to Normandy in 1064. Edward the Confessor had no heir, the witan (king's advisors) chose Harold Godwinson to be king in 1066. Harold Godwinson was defeated at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066 by William.
• Reasons for William's success


  • William's military strength and tactics-700, ships, feigned retreat
  • Influence from the Pope backing William
  • Normans promised land if defeated Harold Godwinson
• William was crowned king of England on Christmas Day 1066. Normans LANDED and took Land and wealth for Normans. 1086, only 10 Anglo-Saxon landowners, 50% wealth Norman.
• William 1 reign


  Accepted into society, lived in jeweries & Mikveh (bath houses), kosher butchers and synagogues
• William 11 reign


  1095 crusades wages against Muslims, Church and pope persecuted Muslims because there were unbelievers lead to persecution of the Jews also
• Richard 1 reign


  On richards coronation 3rd September 1189, mobs attacked Jews quarter of London 30jews killed and 1190 150 Jews killed in York
• Henry III reign

  1218 forced to wear tabula yellow cloth to recognise them as a Jew, 1230 expelled from several towns (Leicester and Newcastle), Christian believed Jews were killing Christan babies in a blood ritual king ordered arrest of 90 Jews in 1255, 1265 pope allowed Christians to charge interest
• Edward I reign


  In 1275 statue of Jewry forbidding Jews to charge interests became poor, Forced to clip coins -led to 293 being hanged it was illegal, In 1290, Edward I ordered to convert to Christianity or leave, 3000 refused and left