England’s Immigrants, 1330-1550

England’s Immigrants 1330-1550 is a database which expands our knowledge of early immigration. The database reveals evidence about the names, origins, occupations and households of foreigners who chose to live and work in England in the era of the Hundred Years War, the Black Death and the Wars of the Roses. Their nationalities ranged from other parts of the British Isles, including Scots, Irish and Channel Islanders, to mainland Europeans from countries including Portugal, Sweden, Greece and Iceland.

Using the database as a springboard, The University of York and The National Archives have produced these teaching resources, which can be downloaded below, to support the teaching of British immigration in the middle ages and early Tudor period.

Were there really aliens living among the population of England in the 15^th century?  (Year 5-6)

Lesson 1: Were there really aliens in medieval England?

Lesson 2: How were aliens treated in 15^th century England?

Teaching materials: Were there really aliens living among the population of England in the 15^th century? (ZIP, 9.3 MB)

How can government records help us investigate the diversity of the population? (KS3 – Years 8/9)

Lesson 1: How diverse was England’s population in the period 1330-1550?

Lesson 2: What can we learn about the female migrants living in England in the period 1330-1550?

Lesson 3: How do we know so much about the England’s immigrant population from the period 1330-1550?

Teaching materials: How can government records help us investigate the diversity of the population? (ZIP, 4.4 MB)

How can we get people from the 15^th century to tell us about their lives? (KS 4 and 5- Years 10-13)

Lesson 1: Who lived in the Fifteenth Century?

Lesson 2: How do we know what we know?

Teaching materials: How can we get people from the 15th century to tell us about their lives? (ZIP, 15.8 MB)

Did trade and migration change England in the 16th century? (Years 12-13)

Lesson 1: How far was England a nation of traders and migrants before 1560?

Lesson 2: How far did the arrival of migrants from the 1560s change England?

Teaching materials: Did trade and migration change England in the 16th century? (ZIP, 3.8 MB)