The Origins of Migration in Britain (Edexcel GCSE History) : Revision Note

What was England like in the 9th century?- Summary

Originally, England was not a single country but a group of separate kingdoms. These Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were ruled by their own kings and often fought each other for land and power. Over time, the kingdoms merged so England was ruled as a single state. Powerful earldoms included Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria.

However, in the 9th century, large areas of Eastern and Northern England came under Viking control. This area became known as the Danelaw, an area that used Danish laws and customs to govern.

Why did people migrate to Britain in the Medieval period?

• Migration in the 9th century was often influenced by a combination of push and pull factors

  • Push factors are reasons people left their homeland

  • Pull factors are are reasons people were attracted to Britain

Push factors in the 9th century

War

• Some groups in Europe left their homeland due to:

  • civil war

  • local rivalries

  • competition for land

• Jewish communities in Europe were repeatedly targeted by violence, especially during local pogroms

  • This caused them to flee to England in order to survive

Religious persecution

• Some European countries make certain religious communities feel unwelcomed

  • Therefore, many religious groups left for safer living conditions in Britain

  • This increased during times of plague, famine or financial crises

Economic issues

• Poor harvests, high taxes, or limited access to land pushed peasants and craftsmen to look elsewhere for job opportunities

• In parts of Europe, overpopulation in towns led to competition for jobs and rising poverty

Pull factors in the 9th century

Trade

• In the 9th century, Anglo-Saxons traded with other countries

  • The majority of the silver coins in Anglo-Saxon England were made from German silver

  • Millstones and whetstones came from Denmark to England

  • Anglo-Saxons had wine from Normandy

  • The west of England provided the perfect conditions for sheep rearing

    • This allowed Anglo-Saxons to trade wool, essential for cloth-making

• Rivers and coastline made England easy to access by boat and ideal for trade

Guilds

• Guilds managed the quality of products brought and made in a country

  • Tradespeople who wanted the guild's services have to pay a membership fee

  • Guilds also offered apprenticeships

• As guilds increased the quality of products, this improved the economy

• London had a lot of guilds in Medieval England, which attracted migrants to settle

Natural resources

• Britain had rich mineral deposits of:

  • iron

  • tin

  • lead

• This attracted migrants with mining skills or interest in trade

  • These resources were valuable for weapon-making and construction

• Being an island, Britain had access to salt and fish

  • Salt was vital in Medieval times to preserve food

  • Fish provided a vital food source

Monasteries and abbeys

• Monasteries and abbeys were the richest landowners in Medieval England. They had:

  • gold and silver objects

  • large coin reserves

  • jewels

  • precious items, such as manuscripts

• England's religious buildings attracted migrants to:

  • worship

  • pillage

Who migrated to Britain in the Medieval period?

• Throughout the Medieval period, Britain saw waves of migration from Europe and beyond

  • Some migrants came as invaders or conquerors

  • Others arrived as refugees, traders, or skilled workers

• Key groups that migrated to Medieval Britain included:

  • Vikings

  • Normans

  • Jewish people

  • European traders and craftsmen

Vikings

• Originated from Scandinavia

• Arrived first from c789-c865 CE as raiders for Britain's monasteries and abbeys

• Settled in the north and east of England

• Sought land, resources, and wealth due to overpopulation and conflict at home

Normans

• Came from Normandy, in Northern France

• Invaded England in 1066, led by William the Conqueror

  • They believed that William had been promised the English throne by its previous king, Edward the Confessor

• After winning the Battle of Hastings against Harold Godwinson, William was crowned king on Christmas Day 1066

Jewish people

• Invited to England by William I in 1070 to support the economy through money-lending

  • William needed a lot of money to build castles and cathedrals

  • Christians did not lend money whereas Jewish people were allowed to charge interest

    • Interest, or usury, was a sin in the Catholic Church

• Settled mainly in London as they were given a special status from the king

European traders and craftsmen

• Migrated from modern-day Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France

• Migrated to England due to the:

  • Hundred Years' War (1337–1453)

    • Disrupted trade in France

  • Black Death (1347- 1351)

    • Nearly 40% of the population in England died, creating job opportunities for migrants

• Settled in England’s towns and ports, especially where the wool and cloth trade was strong