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Year 10
Edexcel

African migrants in the early British Empire

I can explain the reasons why the number of African people in England increased from 1500-1700, and describe the different experiences of African migrants in England.

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New
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Year 10
Edexcel

African migrants in the early British Empire

I can explain the reasons why the number of African people in England increased from 1500-1700, and describe the different experiences of African migrants in England.

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Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. England's role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade increased the number of African migrants in England.
  2. Most African migrants in early modern England lived as ‘unfree’ servants.
  3. Some historical records show African migrants being baptised and working in various jobs, usually in large port cities.

Common misconception

All African migrants in the early modern period were 'unfree' servants.

While many African migrants were 'unfree' servants, there were also free men and women who worked in other jobs - for example, John Blanke and Mary Fillis.

Keywords

  • Transatlantic Slave Trade - the trade between Europe, West Africa and the Americas, where goods were exchanged for enslaved people who were sold onto plantations in European colonies

  • Enslaved person - someone who is forced to work for no pay, and often considered the property of another person

  • Inheritance - money or property given from one person to another after their death, usually given to their nearest relative

  • Ambassador - someone sent to represent their nation in another country

As the number of African migrants in the early modern period was relatively small their impact on England was limited. The case studies from this lesson offer us intriguing glimpses into the lives of two specific migrants but teachers should guide pupils when making generalisations from them.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes someone who is learning a new skill from an experienced worker?
Correct Answer: apprentice, Apprentice
Q2.
Match the type of early modern migrant to where they come from.
Correct Answer:Flemish,One of several German groups from Flanders

One of several German groups from Flanders

Correct Answer:Walloon,One of several German groups from Flanders and some surrounding areas

One of several German groups from Flanders and some surrounding areas

Q3.
Where in England did William Cecil first invite Flemish migrants to?
Correct answer: Sandwich
Canterbury
London
Q4.
In what ways was the experience of Walloon migrants more positive than experiences of Flemish migrants?
Supported by authorities to set up their own French-speaking schools
Correct answer: Supported by authorities to set up their own French-speaking churches
Correct answer: Given permission to settle in Canterbury with no restrictions on numbers
Given permission to settle in Sandwich with no restrictions on numbers
Q5.
Which of the following are examples of negative experiences Walloon migrants had in early modern England?
Local people resented weavers who took on work outside of cloth-making
Correct answer: London silk weavers complained about the competition brought by the migrants
The number of migrants in Sandwich was limited to 250-300
Correct answer: From 1585, migrants were limited to those escaping religious persecution
Q6.
Which of the following statements show the impact of Flemish and Walloon migrants on England?
French became the language of the English aristocracy.
Correct answer: Several words in the English language originate from Flemish.
Correct answer: By 1718, French speaking migrants had opened around 30 churches.
Hundreds of motte and bailey castles were erected across the country.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes money or property given from one person to another after their death, usually given to their nearest relative?
Correct Answer: inheritance, Inheritance
Q2.
Which keyword describes someone sent to represent their nation in another country?
Correct Answer: ambassador, Ambassador
Q3.
Complete the sentence: England's role in the Slave Trade increased the number of African migrants in England.
Correct Answer: Transatlantic, transatlantic, atlantic, Atlantic
Q4.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - Portugal and Spain established a system of enslaving and transporting Africans.
2 - John Hawkins' expedition to West Africa
3 - first direct English involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade
4 - increasing numbers of African migrants settled in England as ‘unfree’ servants
Q5.
Which of the following were jobs African migrants did in England in the early modern period?
Correct answer: deep-sea divers
Correct answer: ambassadors
Correct answer: ‘unfree’ servants
monarchs
Q6.
What does the life of John Blanke reveal about African people living in England in the early modern period?
Correct answer: Some migrated for reasons other than the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
All migrated as a result of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Correct answer: Not all worked as ‘unfree’ servants in low paying jobs.
Correct answer: Some married English people.
All worked as ‘unfree’ servants in low paying jobs.

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