This document discusses two case studies from 16th century England that illustrate the impact of trade and migration on Tudor society: 1) Evil May Day 1517 - A riot in London triggered by a sermon against foreign workers. This shows tensions caused by competition for jobs from migrant workers. 2) The Stranger community at Glastonbury 1551-1553 - Protestant families fled religious persecution in France and Belgium, bringing weaving skills that benefited the English woollen trade. However, they struggled initially without proper housing or support. The document examines how these cases suggest trade and migration both increased tensions in society but also introduced new economic opportunities through the transfer of skills from foreign entrepreneurs.

1. Investigation 3: What was the impact of
trade and migration on society in the 16th
century
Two contrasting case studies:
- Evil May Day 1517
- the Stranger community at
Glastonbury 1551-53.

2. Share your ideas about how this incident suggests trade and migration
affected Tudor society.
‘…the royal will
(is) that strangers
should be well
treated in this
country’
Cardinal Wolsey’s speaking to the
May Day rioters according to the
Venetian ambassador
‘This land was given to
Englishmen, and as birds
would defend their nests, so
ought Englishmen to cherish
and defend themselves, and
to hurt and grieve aliens for
the commonweal’
Dr Bell’s sermon triggering
Evil May Day according
to Edward Hall’s account.
EVIL MAY DAY 1517

3. What is this ?

4. The story behind the dish
• Over forty Protestant families came to settle in Glastonbury in the years 1551-3,
fleeing religious persecution.
• They were from Northern France and Belgium.
• They were nearly all weavers of worsted cloth, bringing new skills to the English
woollen trade. They had been invited by the Duke of Somerset, regent of England
at this time, who hoped to profit from their arrival.
• They were not given the housing and help they were promised but the local people
came to their aid. They provided food and materials and helped them to build
houses.
• They worshipped in their own chapel rather than the local church as the services
there did not reflect their own radical Protestant beliefs.
• When Catholic Queen Mary came to the throne, they were ordered to leave.
• To show their appreciation of the help the local people had given them, this brass
alms dish was presented to the local church before they left. It has been suggested
that it was made a by a craftsman from their own community. It is still being used
every Sunday today.

5. Investigation 3: What was the impact
of trade and migration on society in
the 16th
century?
What do these two contrasting stories suggest about the impact
of trade and migration on English society ?
Discuss in your groups, noting down additional points to add to
the ones you made on the Evil May Day story.
Now add your main points to the left hand column on
Worksheet 1D.

6. ‘ You would never believe how friendly people
are together, and the English are the same
and quite loving to our nation. If you come
here with half our property, you would never
think to go and live in Flanders. Send my
money and the three children. Come at once
and do not be anxious’.
So wrote Clais van Werkekin to this wife on his arrival at Norwich in August
1567. A committed Protestant, he had fled from the Netherlands when he
heard that a large Catholic army was due to arrive to punish heresy. These
refugee families were to transform England’s textile industry.
Investigation 4
How far did migration change England’s textile trade?

7. The new draperies
Described by one contemporary
as
‘outlandish commodities’
THE ‘OLD’ DRAPERIES
English broadcloth
100% wool. Heavy,
thick, coarse,
durable.
Barracans
Thick,
strong textiles
Shalloons
Light twilled
wool fabrics
Silk rashes
Mix of silk
and linen
Bombazines
Mix of worsted
and silk
Mockadoes
Similar to velvet
Bays
Fine, light cloth
associated with
the Walloon
(Flemish)
weavers
Worsted
Originating in
Norfolk
but developed
in the
Netherlands, a
smooth,
fine cloth
Grosgrams
Strong,
close woven fabrics

8. Investigation 4:
How far did
migration change
England’s textile
trade?
Bays were a kind of new woollen textile developed in England
by foreign settlers from the 1560s onwards. Clearly this
popular rhyme simplifies the impact of the migrants but it still
has some basis in truth. Read and complete Worksheet 2A
by reading section A and completing section B to develop your
knowledge and understanding of this issue.
Hops, Reformation, Bays and Beer
Came into England, all in a year.
-An old English rhyme

9. Summing up: How far did migration
change England’s textile trade 1560-1600?
Insignificant Revolutionary
Follow the instructions in section C in Worksheet 2A. After
completing your paragraph, reach an agreement in your groups
and send one person from each group to write their names on
the line on the whiteboard. Make sure you can justify your
decision.

10. Investigation 5:
How far was England a nation of traders
and migrants after 1560?
Now you need to provide a broader overview of trade and
migration in the second half of the century.
• Using Worksheet 2B to guide you make notes on (i) the
changes to London as a market for goods,
(ii) other aspects of English trade and economy in these years.
• Share your points as instructed and then fill in the right hand
side of Worksheet 1D: Key features of trade and migration in
the years 1550-1600.

11. Investigation 5:
How far was England a nation of traders
and migrants after 1560?
Speed dating exercise!
Your teacher will divide you into ones ( 1500-1550) and twos
( 1550-1600).
Be armed with two colours of highlighters – green for similarity
and pink for difference.
Meet up with your date. Highlight points of similarity and
difference on your chart.
Agree with your partner 2-3 judgements about the nature and
extent of change.

12. Plenary review:
Did trade and migration change England in
the sixteenth century?
• How far are these key features different from the first half of
the century?
• What other factors might have influenced change?
• How might these factors interact with trade and migration?

13. What is the relationship between trade,
migration and England?
Study the diagram you made at the start of this study. A photo
was taken of it.
Use the mini whiteboards to make it better using the knowledge
and understanding you have gained during this study.