C800–c1500: Migration in medieval England - 2 The experience and impact of…

The idea

The experience of medieval migrants varied greatly, shaped by their relations with authorities and locals. Migrants often faced hostility from the existing population due to economic rivalry, yet authorities sometimes protected them for their economic value. The legal status of 'alien' formalised their outsider position, subjecting them to specific taxes and restrictions. The Black Death (1348) profoundly impacted migrants; while severe labour shortages created new economic opportunities and higher wages for some, the trauma of the plague also sparked xenophobia, leading to scapegoating and increased tensions between migrants and the native English population.

What earns the marks

• Describe the legal status of 'alien' and how it affected the rights and taxation of migrants in medieval England.
• Explain the complex relations between migrants and the existing population, including instances of economic jealousy and violence.
• Analyse how royal and local authorities interacted with migrants, balancing economic benefits against public hostility.
• Evaluate the dual impact of the Black Death, noting both the economic opportunities arising from labour shortages and the rise in xenophobic scapegoating.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Assuming all migrants had the same legal rights as the English (Correction.

  Put it right: Explain the specific legal status of 'alien', which included restrictions and targeted taxation like the alien subsidies).

• Believing the Black Death only had negative impacts on migrants (Correction.

  Put it right: Acknowledge that while scapegoating occurred, the resulting labour shortage also provided significant economic opportunities and higher wages for surviving migrants).

• Oversimplifying relations with authorities (Correction.

  Put it right: Recognise that authorities often protected migrants for economic reasons, even when the local population was hostile).

Exam tips

• Use the term 'alien' accurately to describe the official legal status of foreigners and mention the specific taxes they faced.
• When discussing the Black Death, ensure you cover both the negative social impacts (scapegoating) and the positive economic impacts (demand for labour).
• Contrast the attitudes of the authorities (who often valued migrants) with the attitudes of the existing population (who often resented them).