Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
2:55 am
November 18, 2010
Offline
Britain’s first black community (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/maga…..e-18903391)
But, back in Shakespeare’s day, you could have met people from west Africa and even Bengal in the same London streets.
Of course, there were fewer, and they drew antipathy as well as fascination from the Tudor inhabitants, who had never seen black people before. But we know they lived, worked and intermarried, so it is fair to say that Britain’s first black community starts here.
There had been black people in Britain in Roman times, and they are found as musicians in the early Tudor period in England and Scotland.
But the real change came in Elizabeth I’s reign, when, through the records, we can pick up ordinary, working, black people, especially in London.
It's always bunnies.
1:57 pm
January 3, 2012
Offline
I often wondered this question myself. I think for most people Black people were generally excepted to come over as slaves, but this proves that isn’t true. Wiki says that COA actually brought over a few black attendents with her, and around the same time Henry V11 had a troop of black trumpeteers I’m scepital of Wiki’s accurracy in this matter however, but it is entirely possible that it is true..
It also states that Elizabeth made an order (although never implemented) for the explusion of all black people living in London. The first name mentioned of a black citizen is a man called Cornielus.
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
