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Group    From 1500  To 1800

The Huguenots

Categories: Religion

Countries: France

The Huguenots

French Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. The name emerged in 1560 but its derivation is unknown. The faith attracted skilled city workers such as weavers, goldsmiths and fan-makers but persecution tended to be their lot; the pictures shows the 1572 St Bartholomew Day's massacre when almost 6,000 were killed.  

The 1598 Edict of Nantes established Roman Catholicism as the religion of France but set reasonably acceptable terms for non-Catholics, such as the Huguenots. But over time conditions for them became harsher.

1685 King Louis XIV gave them the choice of conversion (to Catholicism) or prison. Some found a third option and relocated to London, bringing their skills and establishing, mainly in the East End, thriving industries in silk, lace, weaving, fan-making, etc.

Spitalfields Life has a post tying together the .

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
The Huguenots

Commemorated ati

French hospital

Site of the French hospital founded by royal charter in 1718 to house the poo...

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French Protestant Church - Soho Square

To the glory of God & in grateful memory of H. M. King Edward VI who by h...

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Hanbury Hall - blue oval plaque

This plaque has a shortened version of the text on the old white plaque.

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Hanbury Hall - tiled plaque

These 20 Delft tiles are decorated with scenes and symbols important in Hugue...

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Hanbury Hall - white plaque - removed

Christ Church Hall Built in 1719 as a French Hugeonot {sic} church it stood b...

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Show all 9

Other Subjects

Lesnes Abbey

Lesnes Abbey

Pronounced Lez-ness. Founded by Richard de Lucy, as a penance for his role in the murder of Thomas Becket. It never grew to any great size, and was closed by Cardinal Wolsey under a licence to supp...

Place, Architecture, Religion

1 memorial
Alexander Waugh, DD

Alexander Waugh, DD

United Secession minister. Born Berwickshire, Scotland. Moved to London in 1782 and served the Wells Street church for the rest of his life. Co-founder of the London Missionary Society and supporte...

Person, Religion, Scotland

1 memorial
St Alphege, Southwark

St Alphege, Southwark

In 1880 the church of St Alphege was built on the eastern corner of the junction of Lancaster Street and King James Street. It was dedicated in 1882. Post WW2 it went into decline and was declared ...

Building, Religion

1 memorial
Scheut Fathers

Scheut Fathers

Roman Catholic missionaries, correctly named the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae (the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary). Founded by the Belgian priest Theophiel Verbist, in Scheut,...

Group, Religion, Belgium

1 memorial
Agnes George

Agnes George

Burnt at the stake in Bow (or possibly Stratford) for her Protestant beliefs.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial