Who migrated to Britain in the medieval period, and what was their experience c.1250 to 1500?
Medieval migrants including Jews, Flemish weavers, Italian bankers and Hanseatic merchants, the reasons they came, their contribution to the economy, the experience of welcome and hostility, and the expulsion of the Jews in 1290.
A focused answer to the medieval section of OCR's Migrants to Britain thematic study, covering Jewish, Flemish, Italian and Hanseatic migrants, the reasons they came, their economic contribution, the experience of welcome and hostility, and the expulsion of the Jews in 1290.
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What this dot point is asking
This is the opening period of OCR's Paper 1 thematic study, Migrants to Britain c.1250 to present. You need to explain who came to medieval England (Jews, Flemish weavers, Italian bankers, Hanseatic merchants), why they came, their contribution, and their experience of welcome and hostility, ending with the expulsion of the Jews in 1290. As a thematic study, the focus is on change and continuity over time, so this period is the baseline for later centuries.
Who came, and why
Their contribution
Welcome and hostility
The expulsion of the Jews, 1290
Try this
Q1. Which king expelled the Jews from England, and in what year? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Edward I, in 1290.
Q2. Explain why Jews were important as moneylenders in medieval England. [Short explanation]
- Cue. The Church banned Christians from charging interest (usury), so Jewish lenders provided the credit that the Crown, nobles and townspeople needed, making them economically vital even though they were resented.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR SHP 20194 marksDescribe two features of Jewish life in medieval England.Show worked answer →
The thematic study opener (4 marks, two features, 2 marks each). Reward two distinct, developed features.
Feature one. Many Jews worked as moneylenders, because the Church banned Christians from charging interest (usury), so Jewish lenders provided credit to the Crown, nobles and townspeople, making them economically important but resented.
Feature two. Jews faced growing hostility and control: they were taxed heavily by the Crown, subjected to antisemitic myths and violence, made to wear identifying badges, and finally expelled from England in 1290.
Top marks. Two separate features, each with a precise supporting detail.
OCR SHP 20218 marksExplain why migrants came to medieval England.Show worked answer →
The thematic study "Explain why" question (8 marks). Reward two or three developed, supported reasons.
Reason one. Economic opportunity: skilled workers such as Flemish weavers came for work in the growing cloth trade, and Italian bankers and Hanseatic merchants came to lend money and trade through English ports.
Reason two. Invitation and protection: the Crown sometimes invited or protected migrants for their skills, money or trade links, valuing the wealth and expertise they brought.
Reason three. Wider trade networks: England's place in European trade (wool, cloth, banking) drew merchants and financiers from Italy, the Low Countries and the German Hanseatic towns.
Top band. Link each reason to migration and judge which was most important.
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