The Huguenots

"The Edict of Nantes" (1598)

  In an effort to end the years of religious wars,Henry 1V of France issued an Edict which  granted
Protestants of France(known as Huguenots) substantial rights, in a predominately Catholic nation.
Through the Edict, Henry,in the hope of national unity,offered a path of tolerance and freedom to the
Huguenots.

"The Edict of Fontainbleau." (1685)
 
   In 1685 LouisX1V, by issuing the Edict of Fontainbleau revoked the Edict of Nantes and ordered the wholesale persecution of all Huguenots in an attempt to intimidate them to convert to Catholicism.This policy backfired as almost a million Huguenot artisans left France which caused a vacuum that was not filled for years.

  These Huguenots (French Calvinist Protestants) relocated in Protestant countries all over the world,
and as skilled craftsmen were welcomed and encouraged by the recipient countries.One such country which benefited greatly from the techniques and styles of the immigrants, was England.



   It is estimated that over 50.000 Huguenots fled to England during the persecutions.these immigrants were not slow to set up industries in Metalwork, Watchmaking, Cabinet making, Plateglass ,Silk, Lace, Gardening and Weaving.In time this helped to bring England into the forefront of European industry: much to the chagrin of the short-sighted French Catholics.In fact many of these Huguenots fought with England against France in a series of wars.

Huguenot weavers houses in Canterbury

   An example of this development can be found in Metal working with the arrival in England of a first generation refugee and brilliant silversmith Pierre Platel (1659-1719). He set up shop and later
gave work as an apprentice to one, Paul de Lamerie.

  Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751) became the greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th
century. As a Huguenot,Paul came to England with his parents,fleeing the persecution in France.
His success as a silversmith lay not only in his exceptional powers of invention and creation, but also in his ability as a businessman,retailing some astonishingly spectacular silverware from his own workshop and also using the best external silversmiths,such as Paul Crespin and the" Maynard Master."

Cup an Cover 1736

Ralph Vaughan Williams (The most English of Englishmen.)

Though born (12 Oct 1872 ) into the privileged intellectual upper middle class, with family connections to both Josiah Wedgewood and Charles Darwin, and friend of Gustaf Holst,Vaughan Williams never took it for granted,and worked all his life for the democratic ideals.As a private in the medical Corp,he saw action as a stretcher bearer in the Great War.

As an English composer of Symphonies,film and choral music,and an avid collector of English Folk music, Williams became a central figure in British music because of his long career as teacher,lecturer and friend to so many younger musicians.his writings on music remain thought-provoking, particularly his oft-repeated call for all persons to make their own music,however simple,as long as it their own.

  http://youtu.be/HWwBh0dzgi4   "A Lark ascending"
http://youtu.be/rsT0KFZZ3lM     " A London Symphony "

Though intrinsically involved with religion and Church music,Vaughan Williams was an atheist, yet characteristically his music can seem familiar to all. Deep and mystical as well as lyrical and melodic his style expresses a deep regard for,and fascination with not only English folk tunes, but also the early music of people like Thomas Tallis.

On the 26 August Vaughan Williams died and was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey.


        "One is never quite sure whether one is listening to something very old or very new"

      Film scores
          http://youtu.be/VFZyJ956sJk       "Scott of the Antarctic"
          http://youtu.be/3Y5x3bWdTTQ   "Coastal Command"