Were there Black people in Medieval England?

Question

I'm writing a story and I wondered whether black people were around in medieval Engalnd- say 1400's.

Answer 1

Here's an article that says "Yes".

THE GLOBAL AFRICAN COMMUNITY
HISTORY NOTES: THE MOORS IN EUROPE
BY RUNOKO RASHIDI

It would not be inaccurate to say that the Moors helped reintroduce Europe to civilization. But just who were the Moors of antiquity anyway? As early as the Middle Ages, and as early as the seventeenth century, "The Moors were," according to the Oxford English Dictionary, "commonly supposed to be mostly black or very swarthy, and hence the word is often used for *****." Dr. Chancellor Williams stated that "The original Moors, like the original Egyptians, were Black Africans."

At the beginning of the eighth century Moorish soldiers crossed over from Africa into Spain, Portugal, and France, where their swift victories became the substance of legends. To the Christians of early Europe there was no question regarding the ethnicity of the Moors, and numerous sources support the view that the Moors were a black-skinned people. Morien, for example, is the adventure of a heroic Moorish knight supposed to have lived during the days of King Arthur. Morien is described as "all black: his head, his body, and his hands were all black." In the French epic known as the Song of Roland the Moors are described as "blacker than ink."

William Shakespeare used the word Moor as a synonym for African. Christopher Marlowe used African and Moor interchangeably. Arab writers further buttress the Black identity of the Moors. The powerful Moorish emperor Yusuf ben-Tachfin is described by an Arab chronicler as "a brown man with wooly hair."

Black soldiers, specifically identified as Moors, were actively recruited by Rome, and served in Britain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. St. Maurice, patron saint of medieval Europe, was only one of many Black soldiers and officers under the employ of the Roman Empire.

[1998] Runoko Rashidi. All Rights Reserved"

And from Wikipedia:

"Sir Morien and Sir Palamedes of Arthurian fame. Sir Gawain, whose life was saved on the battlefield by Sir Morien, is stated to have "harkened, and smiled at the knight's speech." It is noted that Morien was the fashion of his land. "Morien, who was dark of face and limb," was a great warrior, and it is said that: "His blows were so mighty; did a spear fly towards him, to harm him, it troubled him no whit, but he smote it in twain as if it were a reed; naught might endure before him." Sir Morien personified all of the finest virtues of the knights of the European Middle Ages."

The Moors were in Spain before the year 800. There is a picture on the Wilipedia site showing the Moorish ambassador to Queen Elizabeth 1 (16th C). I would think it is very likely they traded with Britain if nothing else, during the Middle Ages.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Were there Black people in Medieval England?
I'm writing a story and I wondered whether black people were around in medieval Engalnd- say 1400's.

Answer 3

First of all the Moors were on the British Iles before the Romans that puts them there around 200 ad. Now most left the area if any stayed they were not the central African that you are thinking, more of an Arab. Very few if any lasted by the middle ages, they killed people for looking the wrong way, being Jew, puritan,catholic (after Henry VIII). I think they would definitely kill a minority race. Stop trying to look for things in history that aren't there. Just to be PC. Blacks (central African) weren't even capable of starting a modern civilization how would they get to England

Answer 4

Not in any great number no. Maybe a handful at most - various traders, and officials from North Africa, but to say that there were blacks in England in the 1400's would be considered to be an incorrect assessment.

Various ports on the English coast had a few transient and temporary Muslim traders (some of whom no doubt were black), but there wasn't any form of black community in England until at least the 18th century, and even then it was small and located mostly in port cities like London, Liverpool and Bristol.

It wasn't until the 20th century that blacks arrived in larger numbers.

Answer 5

I wasn't going to answer this question but when I saw such an obsolete goofy answer I feel compelled to respond! I am sure there were some black people in England at the time because they have been around a very long time and pre-date caucasian race as archeoligsts have found remains in Africa going way back in time.

Answer 6

There is was no black in Medieval age white was poor and war to each other

Answer 7

Black people have always been in europe. From the time of the ancient seafaring Phoenicians to the time of Hannibal of Carthage and the Roman Empire. They were employed as mercenary soldiers in large numbers to fight off the barbarians in the north and western europe. These men were soldiers, generals and even rulers of various parts of the empire. They intermingled and married freely and were highly praised because of their physical attributes, bravery and skills in fighting and exceptional wisdom and men of honor and integrity. They did not just disappear when the empire fell. Their roots were strongly planted by the time the muslims conquered western europe and their gene line was already well planted in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Brittain, Scottland, France as well as sections of the Holy Roman Empire including the Flanders and the Dutch people. Very few people if any in europe are not mixed with african black blood. They occupied positions among the noble and the royalty. That's why they're seen on many european coats of arm, regal jewelry and priceless works of art as the nobles they were of society.

Answer 8

Of course....Africa isn't an island and the Africans travelled through Europe. Alot of them were middle-eastern traders. They took the boat across the English channel and emigrated to England. Oh and of course the many french-speaking black people that were transported to England through slave embargoes.

Hope it works

Answer 9

Look! Go to library and you'll see the truth, because this whole world is whitewashed. When God comes back

this "race" that rules the whole world will be judged. That's a fact.

Answer 10

Yes, there would have been some blacks in England at that time. They were usually referred to as Moors, Muslims of Northwest African descent, at that time.