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

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Order of St John of Jerusalem

Order of St John of Jerusalem

Order of St John of Jerusalem The Order of St John of Jerusalem combined religion, crusading military might and the care of the sick. 1309-1522 the primary home of the Order was the island of Rhode...

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6 memorials
St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, churchyard garden

St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, churchyard garden

Churchyard closed for burials and given to the Vestry of Bermondsey on 17 May 1882, it was opened to the public on 28 February 1883.

Place, Gardens / Agriculture, Religion

1 memorial
Reverend Percival Clementi-Smith

Reverend Percival Clementi-Smith

Active in 1901 as rector of St Andrew by the Wardrobe. From A lord mayor's diary, 1906-7: "Rev. Percival. Clementi-Smith . . . has a very good head of white hair and a fine healthy-looking, good-h...

Person, Religion, Canada

1 memorial
William F. Brown, Bishop of Pellla

William F. Brown, Bishop of Pellla

Born in Aberdeen or Dundee (depending on source).  When he was eleven his whole family converted from Episcopalian to Roman Catholic.  Parish priest for 58 years of St. Anne's, Vauxhall.  Appointed...

Person, Religion, Scotland

2 memorials