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Migration in medieval England, c800 to c1500
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Vikings, Normans, Jews and European craftsmen all came to medieval England, for very different reasons.
Who came and why
Vikings raided from the 790s and settled from the 860s. After wars with Alfred, they held the Danelaw in the north and east.
Normans became the new ruling class after 1066.
Jews came after 1066, many from Rouen. Christians were not supposed to lend money for interest, so Jews worked as moneylenders.
European traders and craftsmen, such as Flemish weavers, were encouraged to come because of the wool industry.
Normans became the new ruling class after 1066.
Jews came after 1066, many from Rouen. Christians were not supposed to lend money for interest, so Jews worked as moneylenders.
European traders and craftsmen, such as Flemish weavers, were encouraged to come because of the wool industry.
Experiences
Migrants' status was often insecure. Foreigners had the legal status of 'aliens' and could face extra taxes, such as the alien subsidy of 1440.
Jews were under the king's protection but heavily taxed. They faced violence, such as the massacre at York in 1190, and were expelled by Edward I in 1290.
After the Black Death (1348), labour shortages created opportunities for migrant workers.
Jews were under the king's protection but heavily taxed. They faced violence, such as the massacre at York in 1190, and were expelled by Edward I in 1290.
After the Black Death (1348), labour shortages created opportunities for migrant workers.
Case study: Viking York
The Vikings captured York in 866 and called it Jorvik.
It became a busy trading centre with craftsmen working in wood, leather, metal and jewellery. Excavations at Coppergate found houses, workshops and goods from far away.
Viking impact survives in place names ending in -by and -thorpe, and in words in English.
It became a busy trading centre with craftsmen working in wood, leather, metal and jewellery. Excavations at Coppergate found houses, workshops and goods from far away.
Viking impact survives in place names ending in -by and -thorpe, and in words in English.
Explain one way the impact of the Vikings can still be seen today.
- Viking settlers named many places.
- Place names ending in -by or -thorpe, such as Grimsby, come from Old Norse.
- So Viking settlement shaped the map of England.
Answer: Place names ending in -by and -thorpe.
Vikings (Danelaw, Jorvik from 866), Normans after 1066, Jews as moneylenders (York 1190, expelled 1290), Flemish weavers. 'Alien' status. Black Death created opportunities.
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