European immigrants in England

The Huguenots were French Protestants many of whom suffered severe persecution for their faith in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. From the late 17^th century they sought asylum in England.

The French Wars of Religion began in 1562 and continued despite the Edict of Nantes in 1593, in which Henri IV granted the Huguenots political and religious freedom. But the freedom was undermined by the ardently Catholic Louis XIV, who revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. In the years that followed France lost hundreds of thousands of Protestant inhabitants to England, Prussia, the Netherlands and America. A large proportion of them were artisans and merchants with valuable industrial skills, which may be one reason why Britain so far outstripped France in commerce and industry later.

About 70,000 Huguenots are thought to have settled in various parts of Britain. Many were textile workers: silk, linen and woollen industries received considerable impetus from their skills. They were also clock and watch makers: Blois was one of the traditional centres of this trade, as well as a centre of Huguenot religion. They were also gold- and silversmiths, and makers of scientific instruments.

Protestants continued to live in France despite persecution, although they were greatly reduced in number. In the mid-18^th century French public opinion turned against persecution. An edict of 1787 partly restored their civil rights, and with the French Revolution the National Assembly affirmed the liberty of religion and granted Protestants admission to all offices and professions.

During both World Wars people of European origin, for example from Poland and Italy, came to England as prisoners of war and later took the decision to settle here permanently.

In the final years of the 20^th century, larger numbers of people have sought temporary refuge in England and Oxford from Europe's war zones, especially in south-east Europe. Asylum Welcome came into being three years ago, inspired and led by Shelagh Ranger in a small office in St Columba's Church. Its aim is to support asylum seekers and refugees in Oxford by providing an independent and confidential visiting service to those detained at Campsfield House refugee centre at Kidlington outside Oxford, as well as to support those refugees living in the community. It has already established a good relationship with other voluntary and statutory bodies both locally and nationally. Many volunteers work in the offices.

Recently the largest group at Asylum Welcome were from Kosovo, frequently arriving overland in the backs of lorries.