Group    From 1500  To 1800

The Huguenots

Categories: Religion

Countries: France

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 Hugeunots of Soho.

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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

St Michaels Bassishaw

St Michaels Bassishaw

Church first recorded in a document of 1196. Destroyed in the Great Fire, rebuilt by Wren (or his colleagues, at least) and, found to be unsafe, demolished in 1900.

Building, Religion

1 memorial
Samuel Wesley (poet)

Samuel Wesley (poet)

Church of England clergyman and poet.  Born Dorset.  Rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire. See his wife Susannah Annesley for the children.

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Baptist Church House

Baptist Church House

Built in 1901-1903. by Arthur Keen, architect for the Baptist Union and restored in 1946. Now listed.

Building, Religion

1 memorial
St Margaret, Fish Street Hill

St Margaret, Fish Street Hill

Lost in the Great Fire and not rebuilt.  Stood where the Monument now stands.

Building, Religion

1 memorial
William Strong

William Strong

Probably born in Dorset. Clergyman who worked at St Dunstan in the West, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Westminster. Also spoke before the Houses of Parliament. Buried Westminster Abbey. Whe...

Person, Politics & Administration, Religion

1 memorial

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R. Fus. (C. of L. Regt) 23rd Batn. - Service (1st Sportsmans)

Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt) 23rd Batn. - Service (1st Sportsmans)

Group

1 memorial
Field Marshal, First Viscount Alanbrooke

Field Marshal, First Viscount Alanbrooke

Churchill's chief military advisor in WW2.  Born (and brought up) in France as Alan Brooke into the Irish aristocracy.  Entered the army aged 18 and served in Ireland and India and then in WW1, in ...

Person, Armed Forces, France, India, Ireland

1 memorial
Frank Pick

Frank Pick

Pioneer of good design for London Transport. Born Lincolnshire. Click on the picture source web site for more information.

Person, Art, Industry

2 memorials