People Were Protesting Immigration in England 500 Years Ago
About this episode
This episode explores the long history of immigration in England, highlighting key events and figures that shaped the nation.
The history of immigration in England is far older than many people realise. Immigration in Tudor England, medieval England and even Roman Britain helped shape the nation we know today. People often talk about immigration as though it is a modern issue, but England's history tells a very different story. In this video, we explore over a thousand years of migration to England, from the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans to medieval Jewish communities, Flemish weavers, Italian bankers, Tudor refugees, African residents and Muslim diplomats. You'll discover how immigrants helped shape England's economy, culture and society, and how concerns about jobs, wages and foreign competition were being debated centuries ago. We'll examine events such as the York massacre of 1190, the anti-immigrant riots of Evil May Day in 1517, the arrival of Huguenot refugees, the story of John Blanke, Henry VIII's Black royal trumpeter, and England's diplomatic links with Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. History doesn't tell us what immigration policy should be today, but it can challenge assumptions about the past. Was England ever truly isolated? What does the historical evidence actually reveal…
More episodes of Tudor History with Claire Ridgway
- Did Henry VIII Almost Take Anne of Cleves Back?
- Should We Stop Diagnosing Henry VIII?
- Henry VIII: Not Like Other Kings
- Was Anne Boleyn Really the Love of Henry VIII's Life?
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Tudor History with Claire Ridgway podcast page.