Immigrants who were welcomed
Most French speaking people in a region that is now part of Belgium. In the 16th century Protestant Walloons came to England as refugees. and French Protestants, many of whom came to England as refugees in the 16th and 17th centuries. were well received because they were seen as allies and fellow-Christians who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation. They believe in the teachings of the Bible but reject the authority of the Pope.. When the biggest wave of Huguenots came in the 1680s they were granted In the Middle Ages, a document signed by the king, granting naturalisation and citizens' rights to a foreign born person. by King Charles II, mainly because they were victims of the French King Louis XIV (Englandâs greatest enemy at the time). At a time when English A Protestant who does not conform to the established Church of England. and Christians whose religious leader is the Pope. were not allowed to worship freely, Walloons and Huguenots were allowed their own churches.
Although some were rich, with relatives already living here, many A person living outside their own homeland as a result of war, famine or persecution. were poor and dependent on handouts. The An adjective describing the Church of England or a member of the Church of England. Church organised collections of money to help to support them.
Walloons and Huguenots settled mainly in London and the south-east of England, often setting up communities in distinct areas such as Soho in London. In addition to their religion, Walloons and Huguenots were also welcomed because they brought much-needed skills and wealth that helped boost Englandâs economy. One particular skill was wool and silk weaving. In places like Canterbury and Spitalfields in East London, Huguenot entrepreneurs employed large numbers of poorer Huguenots as their weavers.
They also introduced many other skills to England, such as feather and fan work, high-quality clockmaking, woodcarving, papermaking, clothing design and cutlery manufacture.
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