The Stranger community grew rapidly to an estimated 2866 by 1568. To begin with things went well, but resentment of the newcomers erupted into trouble. From 1571 severe restrictions were introduced. These included a curfew, customs payments and a requirement to sell all their cloths in two halls allocated for the purpose of inspecting, sealing and selling their manufactures.

By 1575 however, their contribution was beginning to be recognised. They contributed to the pageant to mark Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the City in 1578, with their own stage illustrating the different looms used to produce the new fabrics. In 1587 – 88 a total of 34,097 cloths passed through the two seld halls. The Dutch and Walloon communities kept their own practices and separate places of worship. Local religious toleration was interrupted under zealous Archbishop William Laud in the 1630s, and many families either returned to the continent or decided to try for religious freedom in America.

From surviving inventories and other records relating to the Norwich Strangers, we can find out details of looms and yarns used, names given to cloths, typical stranger household goods and the organisation of trade. These include poignant letters to relations at home.

The Strangers’ success is another indicator of the profound influence of the Low Countries on East Anglia and Norwich in particular. They are credited with the introduction of the canary. This became such a favoured Norwich songbird that it was the obvious choice of mascot for Norwich City Foot ball club. The brick-built ‘Dutch’ gables distinguish the City’s architecture, and its reputation for being a city of gardens and florists also point to strong influence from across the North Sea.

By contrast, the impact of Huguenot community who settled in the City following the persecutions announced by the Edict of Nantes, whilst retained in folk memory, left fewer concrete traces.

Sources for Strangers community