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

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Swedish Church

Swedish Church

There were enough Swedes in London (mainly sailors) for a congregation to form in 1710 and the first church was set up in Wapping in 1728 (pictured), opened by and named for (the future queen) Ulri...

Building, Religion, Sweden

2 memorials
Curfew Tower

Curfew Tower

A gateway, it is the only complete remaining building of Barking Abbey.  Built in the 14th century and reconstructed in 1460, it now forms the main entrance to the churchyard of St Margaret's Churc...

Building, Religion

1 memorial
Rev. Wilfred Charles Spreadbury

Rev. Wilfred Charles Spreadbury

Vicar of St Barnabas Church, Shacklewell Row immediately after WW2 until 1947 when he was appointed Rector of West Allington with East Allington and Sedgebrook, Lincs. Our colleague, Andrew Behan,...

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Rev. N. A. Lash

Rev. N. A. Lash

Hon. Sec, to the Strangers Home for Asiatics, Africans & South Sea Islanders, in 1921. Rector of St John at Hackney 1930.  Vicar of St Johns Church, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City, 1934-44.

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Bernard William Griffin

Bernard William Griffin

Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Archbishop of Westminster 1943 - his death. Elevated to the cardinalate in 1946. His twin, Basil, was a monk. The photo shows him in 1953.

Person, Religion

1 memorial