Spitalfields, nestled between the ancient City of London and the modern East End, has a eclectic and unique history shaped by world-changing events. From medieval charity to refugee silk weavers, Jewish migrants, and Bangladeshi communities, Spitalfields’ story is one of resilience, transformation, and cultural fusion.
In this post, we explore how key world events impacted Spitalfields and helped make it the vibrant, diverse area it is today.
The Foundation of Spitalfields
Spitalfields’ name derives from the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital, founded in 1197. The hospital provided care for the poor, sick, and homeless for over three centuries, forming the area’s first community network. Although dissolved under Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the land remained a magnet for settlement due to its proximity to London yet freedom from the City’s strict guild control.
💡 Did you know?
Major archaeological digs between 1999 and 2007 uncovered over 10,500 burials at St Mary Spital — one of Britain’s largest medieval cemeteries.
1598: The Edict of Nantes
In 1598, King Henry IV of France issued the Edict of Nantes, granting limited religious freedom to Protestant Huguenots after decades of persecution. However, this protection would not last.
1685: Revocation of the Edict of Nantes — Huguenot Refugees Transform Spitalfields
When Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Protestant Huguenots faced renewed persecution. Over 50,000 Huguenots fled France for England, and many found a new home in Spitalfields.
They brought with them advanced silk-weaving techniques, turning Spitalfields into the heart of Britain’s luxury silk industry. Elegant Georgian townhouses with large attic windows — ideal for weaving — still line Fournier Street, Elder Street, and Folgate Street today.
18th–19th Century: Spitalfields’ Silk Trade and Industrial Struggles
By the 18th century, Spitalfields was booming. Christ Church Spitalfields, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, was built between 1714 and 1729, asserting Anglican presence amid nonconformist communities.
However, industrial change brought hardship. Competition from imported silks and mechanisation led to economic decline. The Cutters’ Riots in the 1760s and 1770s reflected weavers’ desperate struggles for fair wages. The Spitalfields Acts attempted to regulate silk prices and wages, a rare example of early labour law.
1881–1914: Jewish Immigration and Cultural Flourishing
Following pogroms in Eastern Europe in the late 19th century, thousands of Jewish refugees arrived in London. Many settled in Spitalfields, particularly around Brick Lane and Princelet Street. 🔗 Read More: A Curious Emblem on Princelet Street: What Do the Clasped Hands Mean
They brought new life to the neighbourhood — establishing synagogues, kosher butchers, tailors’ workshops, and political clubs advocating for workers’ rights.
Notable sites like the Princelet Street Synagogue (now the Museum of Immigration and Diversity) bear witness to this vital chapter of Spitalfields history.
1905: The Aliens Act and Immigration Controls
In 1905, Britain passed the Aliens Act, its first modern immigration law. Although framed broadly, it was primarily aimed at restricting Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe.
This law signalled a shift in attitudes towards immigration and had lasting impacts on communities in Spitalfields, who faced increasing scrutiny and regulation.
20th Century: War, Decline, and Renewal
Spitalfields suffered during both World Wars. Bombing raids damaged homes, markets, and places of worship. After the Second World War, many long-established Jewish families moved to outer London suburbs.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Bangladeshi migrants from the 1950s onwards reshaped the area once again. Brick Lane became “Banglatown,” famous for its curry houses, mosques, and vibrant culture. The former Huguenot chapel on Brick Lane — having served as a Methodist church and a synagogue — became the Brick Lane Jamme Masjid in 1976, symbolising Spitalfields’ evolving religious landscape.
1980s–Present: Revival and Gentrification
In the 1980s and 1990s, artists and creatives rediscovered Spitalfields. Former industrial spaces like the Old Truman Brewery became hubs for art, music, and fashion.
Today, Spitalfields Market is a stylish blend of independent shops, restaurants, and heritage architecture. But debates over gentrification and the cost of living continue, reminding us that Spitalfields’ history remains a story of constant change.
Spitalfields history is a powerful reminder of how world events — from religious persecution to global migration — have shaped local communities. Its cobbled streets, historic houses, and multicultural spirit tell a living story of London’s evolution.
If you’re exploring London’s East End, don’t miss the chance to walk the streets and discover the Secrets of Spitalfields on our guided walk — where every corner holds a piece of history.
