Chapter 2 - Flemish and Brabantine Immigrants as Permanent Residents in England 1351–1400

Summary

Once the immigrants crossed the English Channel, new challenges appeared for all of them, whether they were economic migrants or exiles. These issues ranged from the legal situation and the choice of town for permanent settlement, to finding a residence and employment opportunities, which all represent the basis for a healthy start to life in a new place. The purpose of this chapter will therefore be to present the profile, the numbers and the occupations of the immigrants, and to identify those parts of the towns in which they took up residence. The main focus will be on those who were exiled from Flanders after the rebellion and on Flemish textile workers as identified from the sources on the other side of the English Channel. The chapter will start with the fortunes of Flemish immigrants in the English capital, then continue with the market town of Colchester, situated on the east coast, in the county of Essex, to finally turn attention to Great Yarmouth, the port town of the county of Norfolk. In order to reinforce my overall argument, the Flemish and Brabantine presence will be discussed in other towns throughout England.