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.

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

Sir Thomas Docwra

Sir Thomas Docwra

Grand Prior of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, 1501-1527. In 1504 he rebuilt St John's Gate. We guess the Docwra family are descended from Sir Thomas or his family.

Person, Property, Religion

1 memorial
John Routh

John Routh

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

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial
Rev. John Corbin

Rev. John Corbin

John Corbin was born on 25 May 1811 in Ringwood, Hampshire, the son of William Corbin (1781-1854) and Mary Corbin née Bentley (1783-1853). He was baptised on 23 June 1811 in Ringwood. From 1835 to ...

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Eudo

Eudo

Dapifer (steward or cupbearer) to Henry I. Patron in 1096 of the Saxon St Stephen Walbrook.

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Mrs Heywood Smith

Mrs Heywood Smith

Connected to the Salvation Army Citadel, Ronalds Road in 1890.  We think it's likely that this lady was wife to the Dr Heywood Smith who was one of the colleagues of W. T. Stead when he was accused...

Person, Religion

1 memorial