大象传媒

Migration's effect on Britain - governmentRacism and tolerance in 1550s-1680s

Britain has long used legislation to control immigration and to outlaw racial discrimination. From English kings coping with Danish migrants to the laws passed in parliament in the late 20th century.

Part of HistoryBritain: migration, empires and the people c790 to the present day

Racism and tolerance under Elizabeth I and Cromwell, 1550s-1680s

Looking west

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I
Figure caption,
Queen Elizabeth I

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I there was initially an order to expel African people from London; however that order was never successfully carried out, and was eventually dropped completely.

Following the execution of King Charles I and during the rule of Parliament and Oliver Cromwell, there was greater tolerance of Jewish in England, and in 1656 Jewish people were officially allowed to practise their religion. The English government welcomed into the country when they were facing persecution from the French government of Louis XIV in the 1680s.