This lesson focuses on the experiences of migrants – sometimes known as ‘aliens’ – in medieval England.
Students are introduced to a range of individuals, all of whom were ‘real’ migrants.
They arrived in England between the 14th and 16th centuries (their stories derive from the online database ‘England’s Immigrants’, which provides information about migrants’ countries of origin, their work and tax status in England, and any applications for ‘denization’ once they had been resident in England for a period of time).
Students record information about the migrants’ reasons for arriving in England and their lives once they had settled in a new town or city, before delving deeper into the official and more general responses to migrants at the time.
Finally, students reach conclusions in response to the enquiry question, explaining the extent to which migrants found themselves a welcome presence as they built new lives for themselves in medieval England.
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- Lesson presentation: PowerPoint
- Lesson write-up: PDF
- Worksheet 1: PDF
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