Immigrants and the diffusion of skills in early modern London : the case of silk weaving

London in the 16th and 17th centuries was a place of phenomenal change and growth. This paper argues that immigration from Europe played a pivotal role in this economic change, as the arrival of merchants and artisans prompted rapid technological development in many trades and crafts, particularly s...

Descrición completa

Gardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:URI:https://journals.openedition.org/dht,
Autor Principal: Luu, Lien
Formato: Article ou chapitre numérique
Idioma:Français
Publicado: Documents pour l'histoire des techniques 2010
Sujets:
Acceso en liña:Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM
Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM
Descripción
Résumé:London in the 16th and 17th centuries was a place of phenomenal change and growth. This paper argues that immigration from Europe played a pivotal role in this economic change, as the arrival of merchants and artisans prompted rapid technological development in many trades and crafts, particularly silk weaving and beer brewing. The process of technological transfer in these crafts spanned over a long period of time and did not take place in a linear step. It was reliant on migrants to develop, share and in some cases, adapt their skills, to exploit the burgeoning economic opportunities afforded by the enormous consumer demand in London.