Synopses & Reviews
This collection of essays discusses how, between 1550 and 1750, tens of thousands of immigrants, many of them religious refugees escaping persecution on the European continent, settled in Britain, its colonies, and in Ireland. The writing details how the immigrants brought with them their formidable energies and talents and quickly assimilated themselves into the host society. The works range from general considerations of trends towards integration in the immigrant communities to detailed case-studies of the movement into British society of individual immigrants; from studies of popular attitudes and government policy towards the newcomers to examinations of relations within the immigrant communities themselves and their structures for self-sufficiency. The immigrants contributions to art, scholarship, manufacturing, theology, and politics are also explored.
Review
“Even those of us who rejoice in the multicultural character of todays United Kingdom often forget that this character - and our tradition of tolerance, of which the British can be proud - are not new phenomena. It helps to be reminded that todays waves of refugees are only the latest of many; our understanding of contemporary opportunities and challenges, in this area as in so many others, can be enormously enhanced by a better grasp of our own history.” —From the Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
Review
“There is much in this volume that is arresting and new even to those well versed in the main narrative of the 16th and 17th century religious immigration. It is a fitting monument to a movement of a peoples that has shaped our cultural and intellectual heritage in extraordinarily rich and diverse ways.” —English Historical Review
Review
“This valuable collection of essays has enriched the existing literature on immigration into Britain in the early modern period. With its extensive coverage of the topics, periods, and areas, it is a useful reference work and has a great deal to offer both to specialists and the general public.” —Local Population Studies
Review
“The Huguenot Society of Great Britain should be praised for its considerable efforts in organizing this important symposium . . . excellent contributions from Patrick Collinson, Jeannine E. Olson, Hugh Trevor-Roper, and J. B. Trim to mention but a few.” —Albion
Review
“Ample and well-presented material on Huguenot craftsmen, artists, scientists, and intellectuals. In all, the book contains a wealth of information.” —Huguenot Heritage
Synopsis
Even those of us who rejoice in the multicultural character of todays United Kingdom often forget that this character and our tradition of tolerance, of which the British can be proud are not new phenomena. It helps to be reminded that todays waves of refugees are only the latest of many; our understanding of contemporary opportunities and challenges, in this area as in so many others, can be enormously enhanced by a better grasp of our own history. From the Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales. There is much in this volume that is arresting and new even to those well versed in the main narrative of the sixteenth and seventeenth century religious immigration. It is a fitting monument to a movement of a peoples that has shaped our cultural and intellectual heritage in extraordinarily rich and diverse ways. English Historical Review. This valuable collection of essays has enriched the existing literature on immigration into Briain in the early modern period. With its extensive
Synopsis
Between 1550 and 1750 tens of thousands of immigrants, many of them religious refugees escaping persecution on the Continent, settled in Britain and its colonies, and in Ireland. They brought with them their formidable energies and talents and quickly assimilated themselves into the host society. The essays range from general considerations of trends towards integration in the immigrant communities to detailed case-studies of the movement into British society of individual immigrants; from studies of popular attitudes and government policy towards the newcomers to examinations of relations within the immigrant communities themselves and their structures for self-sufficiency. The immigrants' contributions to art, scholarship, manufacturing, theology and politics are also explored.
About the Author
Randolph Vigne is the author of Liberals Against Apartheid and Thomas Pringle: South African Pioneer, Poet and Abolitionist. Charles Littleton is a senior research fellow at the History of Parliament.