GCSE-readyTheme: migration to, from and within the British Isles
People have always moved to, from and around the British Isles. Following migration across 2,000 years shows that change and movement are a normal part of British history.
Invaders and settlers
Anglo-Saxons from northern Germany and Denmark settled from the 400s. Vikings raided from 793 (Lindisfarne) and later settled in the north and east.
The Normans conquered England in 1066.
In 1290 Edward I expelled England's Jews. Jews were allowed to return in 1656, under Oliver Cromwell.
Refugees and workers
During and after the Great Famine (1845 to 1852), many Irish people moved to British cities.
From the 1880s many Jews fled violent attacks in the Russian Empire, and many settled in London's East End.
The Aliens Act of 1905 brought in the first major controls on immigration.
Leaving and moving within
Within Britain, millions moved from the countryside to the towns during the Industrial Revolution.
After 1945, people came from the Commonwealth to help rebuild Britain, including the Windrush generation, named after the ship that arrived in 1948. In 1972 about 28,000 Asians expelled from Uganda came to Britain.
| Date | Migration |
|---|---|
| AD 43 | Roman invasion |
| 793 | First major Viking raid (Lindisfarne) |
| 1066 | Norman Conquest |
| 1290 / 1656 | Jews expelled / allowed back |
| After 1685 | About 50,000 Huguenots arrive |
| 1845 to 1852 | Irish famine migration |
| 1905 | Aliens Act |
| 1948 | Windrush |
Using the Huguenots as an example, explain one push factor and one pull factor for migration.
- A push factor makes people leave: Huguenots were persecuted for being Protestant in France after 1685.
- A pull factor attracts people: England was a Protestant country where they could worship freely and use their skills.
- Most migrations have both push and pull factors.
Answer: Push: persecution in France. Pull: religious freedom and work in England.
Migration is a constant theme. Romans (AD 43), Anglo-Saxons (from the 400s), Vikings (from 793), Normans (1066). Jews expelled 1290, readmitted 1656. About 50,000 Huguenots after 1685 ('refugee'). Irish after the famine; Jews from the Russian Empire from the 1880s; Aliens Act 1905. Emigration to America and Australia (1788); movement to towns; Windrush 1948; Ugandan Asians 1972.
- AD 43
- The Romans invade Britain under Emperor Claudius.
- 1066
- Battle of Hastings, 14 October: William of Normandy defeats Harold Godwinson.
- Empire
- A group of lands or peoples ruled by one country or ruler.
- 1948
- The NHS begins, 5 July. Empire Windrush arrives, 22 June.
- Persecution
- Cruel and unfair treatment of people because of who they are or what they believe.
- 1845
- Potato blight starts the Great Famine in Ireland.
- Not “55 BC”. Julius Caesar landed in 55 BC but did not stay; the conquest began in AD 43.
- Not “Invited more to come”. The opposite: they were forced out.
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2 more questions
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Which Roman leader led raids on Britain in 55 and 54 BC?
- Claudius
- Hadrian
- Augustus
- Julius Caesar
Show the answer
Answer: Julius Caesar
Caesar raided, but the conquest began in AD 43.
Why did the Huguenots leave France?
- They wanted to farm new land
- They were Catholics
- They were persecuted for being Protestant
- They were Catholics fleeing Protestants
Show the answer
Answer: They were persecuted for being Protestant
Persecution increased after 1685.
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- National Curriculum in England, Key Stage 3: History programme of study
- Huguenot Society: Huguenot history
- Jewish Museum London: the Great Migration and the Jewish East End
- Royal Museums Greenwich: the story of the Windrush ship
Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 17 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.