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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Canon John Longstaff

Canon John Longstaff

Rector of St Mary’s Church Cadogan Street, 1965 - 1983. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out this research: John Leonard Longstaff was born on 7 February 1913 in Harrow, Middlesex, the eldest of th...

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1 memorial
The Reverend Alan Greenbat, OBE

The Reverend Alan Greenbat, OBE

Was Vice Principal of the Jewish Orphanage at Norwood in 1956 and by 2000 had a position in the Office of the Chief Rabbi. Alan Greenbat was born 2 April 1929, the son of Maximilian Greenbat (1893...

Person, Armed Forces, Philanthropy, Religion

1 memorial
Robert Browning Settlement

Robert Browning Settlement

Inspired by East End schemes such as Toynbee Hall, this Settlement was established by Francis Herbert Stead (1857 – 1928, brother of W. T. Stead).  Francis was Congregationalist minister at York St...

Group, Philanthropy, Religion, Social Welfare

2 memorials
Robert Lawrence

Robert Lawrence

Prior of Beauvale.  Executed at Tyburn.

Person, Execution, Religion

1 memorial