E

Vikings

Why They Came:

  • 789-865: Raided coastal villages for treasure and ransom.

  • 865: Great Army landed for fertile soil and settlement.

  • 866: Captured York as a strategic base.

  • 878: Treaty of Wedmore, controlling large parts of England under their laws.

Experiences:

  • Settled in Danelaw with shops, markets, and trade links.

  • Generally good relations with Saxons, except for border conflicts.

  • 937: Relations worsened, Danes raided again- danegeld

  • 1016: Cnut became Danish King of England, improving relations.

Impacts:

  • Introduced local governance and law courts.

  • Saxons built fortified towns (burhs) in response to raids.


Normans

Why They Came:

  • 1066: William invaded England for the throne, supported by the Pope.

  • Attracted by wealth, fertile soil, and trade.

Experiences:

  • Hostility and rebellion from Saxons.

  • Normans held authority through the feudal system.

  • Complete land ownership by the king, detailed in Domesday Book.

Impacts:

  • Developed Saxon government into a parliamentary system.

  • Introduced Forest Laws and murdrum fines.

  • Built monasteries, castles, and cathedrals; increased church influence.

  • Introduced French as the official language and changed land ownership.


Jews (800)

Why They Came:

  • Invited by William for financial support, arriving in 1070 in London.

Experiences:

  • Initially respected, but anti-Semitism rose due to high-interest loans.

  • 1290: Expelled by Edward I after a series of restrictive laws.

Impacts:

  • Financed construction projects.

  • Introduced kosher practices and synagogues.


Skilled Europeans

Why They Came:

  • Stability and opportunities post-Hundred Years' War and Black Death.

  • Invited by Henry III to replace Jewish moneylenders.

Experiences:

  • Italian bankers thrived post-Jewish expulsion.

  • Hanseatic merchants controlled English cloth industry.

  • Flemish weavers brought specialised skills and boosted cloth trade.

Impacts:

  • Financial and trade hubs developed.

  • Economic shift from raw materials to manufactured goods.


Huguenots (1500)

Why They Came:

  • Fleeing persecution between 1550 and 1670.

  • Attracted by religious tolerance and economic opportunities.

Experiences:

  • Generally prospered due to skills and established businesses.

  • Faced occasional riots but contributed significantly to various industries.

Impacts:

  • Boosted the cloth industry and silk weaving.

  • Significant roles in banking and industrial investments.


Palatines

Why They Came:

  • Fleeing famine, war, and poverty in 1709.

  • En route to America, supported by British initiatives.

Experiences:

  • Faced hardships, relied on charities, and many ended up deported to Ireland or attempted to emigrate again.


Africans (1500)

Why They Came:

  • Fleeing Spanish persecution or brought as servants.

Experiences:

  • Worked in various skilled jobs and were integrated into society.

  • Some achieved notable success, like John Blanke, a trumpeter for Henry VIII.


Indians (1500)

Why They Came:

  • Increased trade brought Indians to England for work, often as clerks or servants.

Experiences:

  • Settled in port cities, facing variable treatment based on employment.


Germans and Dutch (1500)

Impacts:

  • Artists and engineers like Holbein and Vermuyden significantly influenced culture and infrastructure, transforming areas like the Fens into fertile farmland.


Irish (1700)

Why They Came:

  • Seeking work and fleeing the famine of the 1840s.

Experiences:

  • Worked in laborious, often dangerous jobs like canal and railway construction.

  • Faced prejudice and were often associated with Fenians.

Impacts:

  • Played a crucial role in building Britain's infrastructure and transforming its cities.


Jewish Migration in the 1700s

Reasons for Migration

  • Joining Communities: New Jewish migrants came to join established Jewish communities in Britain.

  • Escape Persecution: Fleeing severe persecution in the Russian Empire.

  • Relative Tolerance: Despite existing anti-Semitism, Britain was comparatively more tolerant.

Experiences

  • Integration: Settled in existing communities, received support until they found employment.

  • Employment: Many worked in the clothing industry.

  • Anti-Semitism: Faced discrimination due to differences in appearance, language, and religion.

  • Economic Tensions: Seen as threats to local jobs due to willingness to work longer hours for lower wages.

  • Internal Community Tensions: Established Jews feared that the influx of poor Jewish families would increase anti-Semitism and disrupt their acceptance in society.

Impacts

  • Civil Rights: Gradual increase in civil rights; notable achievements like Lionel de Rothschild becoming the first Jewish MP in 1858.

  • Cultural Contributions: Synagogues built, introduction of Jewish restaurants and cafes.

  • Economic Contributions: Success in business, like Michael Marks of Marks and Spencer.


African Migration in the 1700s

Reasons for Migration

  • Enslavement: Thousands forcibly taken to work in plantations in the West Indies and North America, enriching merchants and impacting Africans in Britain.

Impacts

  • Abolition Movement: Enslaved individuals like Olaudah Equiano campaigned for abolition, contributing to the end of the transatlantic slave trade in 1807 and slavery in the British Empire in 1833.

  • Cultural Contributions: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's music helped reduce racial prejudice.


Asian Migration in the 1700s

Reasons for Migration

  • Empire Expansion: New trading routes and Britain's expanding empire brought various people to Britain.

  • Employment with Families: Indian servants often accompanied British families returning from India.

  • Education: Indian students migrated to study at British universities, especially in Law.

  • Political Preference: Some Indian princes preferred Britain's governance.

  • East India Company: Recruited sailors (lascars) who often stayed in British ports due to poor ship conditions or abandonment.

Experiences

  • Employment: Ayahs (nannies) often found new work with other English families or ended up in hostels if abandoned.

  • Lascars: Some found port jobs; others became destitute. Hostels provided support.

Impacts

  • Cultural Diversity: Indian and Chinese restaurants added variety to British diets.


German Migration in the 1700s

Reasons for Migration

  • Political Freedom: Britain offered more freedom for political thinkers and skilled workers.

  • Peace: Compared to the conflict-ridden German states, Britain was peaceful.

Impacts

  • Political Ideas: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' ideas influenced views on societal organisation through the Communist Manifesto.

  • Economic Contributions: Significant contributions to the economy, such as the successful Brunner-Mond company and small businesses.


Italian Migration in the 1700s

Reasons for Migration

  • Agricultural Prosperity: Britain's prosperous agriculture compared to Italy.

  • Safety: Britain was safer than war-torn, disease-stricken Italy.

Experiences

  • Employment: Continued traditional work in ceramics or took up new roles like ice cream making and street music.

  • Economic Contribution: Despite initial hostility, they gained acceptance through economic contributions.

Impacts

  • Economic Growth: Contributed to economic development in areas where they settled, primarily London.