How significant was migration by the Huguenots for British society? (14 marks)
The Huguenots had a massive impact when the migrated to England, as they had brought lots of
different jobs and skills, ones which England did not have before, for example being able to weave
silk. As a result of this, many silk weavers lived in Spitalfields London. Silk was a very luxurious
material that only the rich could afford, so inevitably, this brought more prosperity to England. The
Huguenots had a huge impact on Spitalfields especially, particularly its economy. There had always
been a silk industry of sorts in the area, but with the diligence and skills of the Huguenots this
industry thrived, and Spitalfields became 'weaver town'.
Huguenots also sometimes brought money with them. It is estimated that when the Bank of England
was set up in 1694. The increase in the availability of silk affected British upper-class fashions, as
new styles became popular incorporating more of the readily available material.
Another significant impact made was how the wealthier Huguenots built large houses in Spitalfields,
both for their families and for the weavers they employed. These houses, which still remain, are
extremely distinctive, with enlarged windows in the attic to let in the maximum light for the
weavers. Houses were originally built in less elaborate and efficient ways, so this was completely
new to Britain. From 1670 to 1710, between 40,000 and 50,000 Huguenots sought refuge in England.
Historians estimate around half of these moved to London - many settling in Spitalfields, where food
and housing were cheaper, and there was more freedom from the economic controls of the guilds.
By 1700 there were nine Huguenot churches in Spitalfields, where in 1685 there had been none.
The significant impacts that were made by the Huguenots were not entirely positive. Lots of people
believed that the groups were destroying English culture and taking English jobs.
Why did the Rhineland Palatines come to England in the 18 th century? (8 marks)
One reason why the Rhineland Palatines came to England in the 18 th century was because of the pull
factors and the appeal coming from England itself. In 1709, The British government passed the
Foreign Protestants Naturalisation Act which allowed any European Protestant to come and live in
England with full rights at the cost of only one shilling, the equivalent of five pence today. This was
intended to get rich and skilled craftsmen from France and Holland. The government wanted to
encourage Protestants as they were thought to be hard working.
Another reason why they came to England was because of the push factors, including the fact that a
group of generally poor farmers were living in what is now part of Germany. The Rhineland Palatines
decided to come to England as a group together. The Protestants amongst them were also subject to
oppressive treatment from their Catholic ruler. However, not all of the Palatines were Protestant
and most had economic motives as well. The American colonies also meant that England seemed a
good place to emigrate. The Palatines were in search of a more economically stable place, as they
had been suffering with crop failures and bad winters.
The Huguenots had a massive impact when the migrated to England, as they had brought lots of
different jobs and skills, ones which England did not have before, for example being able to weave
silk. As a result of this, many silk weavers lived in Spitalfields London. Silk was a very luxurious
material that only the rich could afford, so inevitably, this brought more prosperity to England. The
Huguenots had a huge impact on Spitalfields especially, particularly its economy. There had always
been a silk industry of sorts in the area, but with the diligence and skills of the Huguenots this
industry thrived, and Spitalfields became 'weaver town'.
Huguenots also sometimes brought money with them. It is estimated that when the Bank of England
was set up in 1694. The increase in the availability of silk affected British upper-class fashions, as
new styles became popular incorporating more of the readily available material.
Another significant impact made was how the wealthier Huguenots built large houses in Spitalfields,
both for their families and for the weavers they employed. These houses, which still remain, are
extremely distinctive, with enlarged windows in the attic to let in the maximum light for the
weavers. Houses were originally built in less elaborate and efficient ways, so this was completely
new to Britain. From 1670 to 1710, between 40,000 and 50,000 Huguenots sought refuge in England.
Historians estimate around half of these moved to London - many settling in Spitalfields, where food
and housing were cheaper, and there was more freedom from the economic controls of the guilds.
By 1700 there were nine Huguenot churches in Spitalfields, where in 1685 there had been none.
The significant impacts that were made by the Huguenots were not entirely positive. Lots of people
believed that the groups were destroying English culture and taking English jobs.
Why did the Rhineland Palatines come to England in the 18 th century? (8 marks)
One reason why the Rhineland Palatines came to England in the 18 th century was because of the pull
factors and the appeal coming from England itself. In 1709, The British government passed the
Foreign Protestants Naturalisation Act which allowed any European Protestant to come and live in
England with full rights at the cost of only one shilling, the equivalent of five pence today. This was
intended to get rich and skilled craftsmen from France and Holland. The government wanted to
encourage Protestants as they were thought to be hard working.
Another reason why they came to England was because of the push factors, including the fact that a
group of generally poor farmers were living in what is now part of Germany. The Rhineland Palatines
decided to come to England as a group together. The Protestants amongst them were also subject to
oppressive treatment from their Catholic ruler. However, not all of the Palatines were Protestant
and most had economic motives as well. The American colonies also meant that England seemed a
good place to emigrate. The Palatines were in search of a more economically stable place, as they
had been suffering with crop failures and bad winters.
