Attitudes towards migrants: official and unofficial responses (OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)): Revision Notes
Attitudes towards migrants: official and unofficial responses
Attitudes towards migrants: official and unofficial responses
Official records kept by the kingdom aren't very clear on how migrants were received by English people. However, the following timeline gives us a clue...
1250: Henry III retracts protection for Jews.
1250<: Italian bankers were given privileges in exchange for large loans. English resent the favour shown.
1270: Henry invites Flemish cloth makers. Expels them a month later.
1290: Jews were expelled from England as they were no longer useful and were poor.
1330: Edward III was desperate for Flemish weavers, dyers and fullers. Promises protection.
1335: Edward II arrests all foreigners as he's fearful of a French invasion.
1354: Law introduced that a half-alien jury could be provided for aliens on trial.
1370<: Letters of denization introduced.
1436: Flemish immigrants were required to purchase a licence and swear an oath of allegiance.
1439: English guilds pressure Richard II into introducing hosting laws
Glossary of Terms:
Peasantry
Farmers or agricultural labourers belonging to a low social class
Alien
The name given to migrants from foreign countries in mediaeval England.
Anti-Semitism
Prejudice towards people of the Jewish faith.
Migration
The movement of people (migrants) from one country to another usually, but not limited to, seeking work.
Assessment #1 Using your knowledge of history, answer the following questions. Substantiate your answers with facts.
- Why were the Jews invited by William I to England?
- Describe how Jews were treated by William I and how this influenced how they were perceived by their communities.
- Describe why Jews were taxed differently to English people.
- What are blood libels and what do they suggest about the integration of Jewish people into English society?
- Describe the series of events and legislation that resulted in Jews being expelled from England in 1290.
Assessment #2 Discuss the features of Mediaeval Britain using the categories:
- Religion
- Society
- Monarchy