麻豆社

Historian Justin Champion goes in search of Britain's multicultural past and, with the help of parish archives and royal state papers, pieces together a picture of society during the Elizabethan era.

He examines the life and times of some of Elizabeth I's more unusual subjects, from criminals and migrants to prostitutes and people regarded as mad scientists. Piecing together evidence from dusty archives, diaries, court records and murder pamphlets, Justin paints an intriguing picture of the darker side of Elizabethan life.

Episode 1: "Her Majestie understanding that there are of late divers blackmoores brought into this realme, of which kinde of people there are already here too many."

Examining the little known world of the non-white Elizabethan, this programme looks at how the presence of Moorish, Black and Asian immigrants in London contributed to a veritable melting-pot of cultures and influences. Delving beneath the surface of Elizabethan society, this programme examines who these people were, what their daily life was like, their contribution to British life and what prejudices and problems they faced.

Producer: Sarah Taylor

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in March 2003.