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

Henry Wye

Henry Wye

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

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Catholic Apostolic Church

Catholic Apostolic Church

The Amwell Society say ". . . an eccentric sect which petered out in the 20th century because its priesthood depended on heredity. What was planned as its cathedral is now the University of Londo...

Group, Religion

1 memorial
John Gill, DD

John Gill, DD

Baptist pastor.  Born Northamptonshire.  Pastor at Goat Yard Chapel, Horselydown and/or the Baptist meeting-house in Carter Lane.  In different sources we have read that Gill was succeeded in both ...

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Fr. Frank Oakley Rowland

Fr. Frank Oakley Rowland

Fr. Rowland opened a  a mission church in 1881 in a small field near a pond just off the Brecknock Road.  This later became the church hall - still in use in 2013 (probably the building immediately...

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Young Men's Christian Association / YMCA

Young Men's Christian Association / YMCA

Founded in 1844 by George Williams, the YMCA built their first gym in 1881 and opened their first purpose built centre in 1911. The original object was "to promote the spiritual and mental improve...

Group, Community / Clubs, Religion

4 memorials

Previously viewed

Sir Joseph and Sir William Hooker

Sir Joseph and Sir William Hooker

TW9, Kew Green, 49

Plaque unveiled by Princess Alexandra.

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
C. H. Bayes
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
C. W. Comber

C. W. Comber

Name on one of the main panels of the East Ham WW1 memorial.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Thomas Twining

Thomas Twining

The Twickenham plaque is mistaken about his role as founder of Twining's Tea, since that company was founded in 1706 by a Thomas Twining, born in 1675. The Twining's website shows no interest in th...

Person, Commerce

1 memorial
W. J. Pitcher
War dead, WW1
1 memorial