A Study on the Palatines who came to England in 1709

This article aims at examining profiles of the Germans -the so-called Poor Palatines- who came to England in 1709. It is said that more than twelve thousand Palatines had left their homeland (the Rhine Valley) and arrived at London over a period of six months. Although most of them embarked for North America or Ireland within a few years, their stay in London had a great impact on British society. The reaction of the British government to them was debated at that time. The government ordered surveys about them in order to assist them. The lists were made on the basis of the surveys. The lists contain a valuable source of information on the age, the religion and the occupation of the head of the family and the ages of the members of the family. I will make clear the character of the Palatines by scrutinizing the lists. This analysis leads us to understand why the Palatines encountered so much hostility in British society.