Medieval Migration and Trade

In the centuries after the Norman Conquest, Britain experienced significant migration driven by trade, religion, and royal policy. Communities of merchants, craftsmen, and religious minorities settled in English towns and cities, contributing to the economic and cultural life of the country. However, migration also provoked hostility, prejudice, and violence.

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Jewish Communities in Medieval England

The most significant migrant community in medieval England was the Jewish community, which arrived with William the Conqueror in 1066.

Settlement and Contribution

Feature	Detail
Arrival	Jews came from Normandy with William the Conqueror; they were among the first significant non-Christian minority in England
Role	Jews were the only people allowed to practise moneylending (usury), which was forbidden for Christians by the Church. This made them vital to the economy
Settlement	Jewish communities were established in major towns including London, York, Lincoln, Norwich, and Oxford
Royal protection	Jews were technically under the protection of the king, who valued them as a source of tax revenue
Cultural contribution	Jewish scholars contributed to medicine, translation, and intellectual life

Persecution and Expulsion

Despite their economic importance, Jews faced severe persecution throughout the medieval period.

Date	Event
1144	The first blood libel in England: Jews in Norwich were falsely accused of murdering a Christian boy (William of Norwich)
1189--90	Anti-Jewish riots across England following the coronation of Richard I; the worst violence occurred at York, where approximately 150 Jews were massacred at Clifford's Tower (March 1190)
1275	The Statute of the Jewry restricted Jewish economic activities and forced Jews to wear a yellow badge
1290	Edward I expelled all Jews from England (approximately 3,000 people). Jews would not be officially readmitted until 1656 under Oliver Cromwell

Exam Tip: The persecution of Jews in medieval England is an important example of how migration can provoke hostility and scapegoating. The blood libel accusation and the 1290 expulsion show how religious prejudice and economic resentment combined to target a vulnerable minority.

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Foreign Merchants and Traders

Medieval England was part of a wider European trading network. Foreign merchants played a vital role in the economy.

Community	Detail
Flemish weavers	Skilled weavers from Flanders (modern Belgium) settled in England, particularly in East Anglia; they helped develop England's wool and cloth trade, the most important export industry of the medieval period
Italian merchants	Bankers and merchants from cities like Florence, Venice, and Genoa managed financial transactions, including loans to the English Crown; the Lombard Street area of London is named after them
Hanseatic League	A network of German and Baltic merchant towns that traded extensively with England; they had a major trading base in London called the Steelyard
Gascon wine merchants	Traders from Gascony (south-west France, an English territory) imported wine, one of the most important traded commodities

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The Wool Trade

England's medieval wealth was built on the wool trade, which attracted foreign merchants and skilled workers.

Feature	Detail
Raw wool exports	English wool was considered the finest in Europe; it was exported primarily to Flanders for weaving
The Staple	The government designated certain ports (most importantly Calais) as the only legal points for wool export, to control trade and collect taxes
Flemish immigration	Edward III (1327--77) actively encouraged Flemish weavers to settle in England to develop a domestic cloth industry
Economic impact	The wool trade made England wealthy and funded wars, cathedral building, and the growth of towns

Key Term: Staple --- a designated town or port through which all exports of a particular commodity (especially wool) had to pass. This allowed the Crown to control trade and collect customs duties.

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Pilgrimage and Religious Migration

Medieval people were highly mobile for religious reasons.

Type	Detail
Pilgrimage	English Christians travelled to holy sites such as Canterbury (the shrine of Thomas Becket), Rome, Jerusalem, and Santiago de Compostela
Crusaders	English knights and soldiers travelled to the Holy Land during the Crusades (1095--1291), bringing back new ideas, goods, and cultural influences
Monastic orders	International monastic orders (e.g. the Cistercians, Benedictines, and Franciscans) established monasteries across England, connecting it to a wider European religious network
Scholars	The universities of Oxford and Cambridge attracted students and scholars from across Europe

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Attitudes to Migrants in Medieval England

Attitude	Detail
Welcome	Foreign merchants and skilled workers were often welcomed for their economic contribution
Royal encouragement	Kings sometimes actively encouraged migration (e.g. Edward III inviting Flemish weavers)
Suspicion and hostility	Foreign communities were sometimes resented, particularly during economic downturns
Violence	Jews, Flemish, and Lombard (Italian) communities were all targeted at various times. During the Peasants' Revolt (1381), Flemish workers in London were attacked and killed
Legal restrictions	Laws such as the Statute of the Jewry (1275) restricted the rights of minority communities

Exam Tip: Medieval migration shows a pattern that recurs throughout British history: migrants are welcomed when they bring economic benefits but face hostility during times of crisis or competition. This is a useful theme to trace across the entire course.

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Key Figures

Person	Role
William the Conqueror	Brought the first Jewish community to England (1066)
Edward I	Expelled all Jews from England (1290)
Edward III	Encouraged Flemish weavers to settle in England
Richard I	His coronation in 1189 triggered anti-Jewish riots

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Key Dates

Date	Event
1066	Jewish community arrives with William the Conqueror
1144	First blood libel accusation (Norwich)
1190	Massacre of Jews at York (Clifford's Tower)
1275	Statute of the Jewry
1290	Expulsion of Jews from England
1330s--1370s	Edward III encourages Flemish weavers
1381	Flemish workers attacked during the Peasants' Revolt

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Extended Worked Paragraph: Q4 "Main Factor" Question

Specimen question: "Religion was the main factor shaping the treatment of migrants in medieval England." How far do you agree? Explain your answer with reference to religion and other factors. [16 marks + 4 SPaG]