Medieval Migration for a Significance Question

What changes did the Normans make to England?

1. Land confiscated from Anglo Saxons and given to Norman lords

2. Feudal system introduced

3. Normans gained control over the tax system, the justice system and the church.

4. Doomsday survey

5. Slavery abolished (before about 10.% of people were slaves)

6. Surname system

7. New language (old french) - eventually combined with old English to form the language we speak today.

Why were the Jews invited to England by William I?

1. They had useful skills (for example being literate)

2. Jews could lend money, whilst Christians were forbidden

Why were Jews disliked?

1. Taxes on Jews were increased, leading them to charge higher interest

2. Blood libel - Jews accused of ritual murder of Christian children. This rumor was encouraged by the church.

3. Hatred of Jews was encouraged by the government, due to its members not wanting to pay back loans

Why did Flemings migrate?

1. War in their homeland

2. Better wages

3. Encouraged to come by Edward III

What impact did the Flemings have?

1. Made England into a manufacturing economy - changed from selling wool to selling cloth

2. Passed on skills like weaving

3. Created more work for sheep shearers

How did people respond to the Flemings?

Flemings were seen to be threatening English jobs, so a hostility grew.

Why did the Hanseatic League Merchants migrate?

1. They wanted to make money

2. They had a merchants charter - giving special tax and customs privileges

What impact did the Hanseatic League Merchants have?

Made England a successful trading nation

How did people respond to the Hanseatic League Merchants?

Resented by local craftsmen and tradesmen due to their privileges. They were sometimes the focus of resentment.

Why did Italian bankers migrate?

Drawn to England after the ban on them charging interest was lifted by the pope and the Jews were beginning to be resented by Henry III.

What impact did Italian bankers have?

Helped finance the development of London. Also introduced financial language.

How did others respond to the Italian bankers?

Sometimes resented due to their wealth and status

What are some examples of hostility towards migrants?

1. All foreigners on the south coast arrested in 1325 by Edward II.

2. English people told to spy on foreigners by Richard II

3. Normans were not welcomed in 1066

4. From the 1440s foreigners had to pay the alien tax

5. John I seized Jewish property.

6. Edward I expelled the Jews in 1290.