Black Settlement
 
 AD 50 Roman London Earliest Londoners come from all over Europe and Africa . Africans served in Roman army. "Negro head" carved wooden  spoon found at Southwark bridge is earliest African connection in Southeast London. 16th century   Black trumpeter at court 1507; and "John Blanke" served Henry VII at Greenwich and later Henry VIII.   Catherine of Aragon lands at Deptford in 1501 with her African attendants.

 
 
1555 
"Certain black slaves" arrive from Africa with  John Lok; and marks beginning of continuous Black presence in London. Late 16th century, opening up of West African trade.    Africans became part of  London's  population in seafaring centres like Deptford.
 
1593 
First record of black person, "Cornelius", in  parish register 1593.
 
 
1596-1601
Fear of increased black population in London  and other towns leads to Royal proclamation    by Queen Elizabeth I to arrest and expel all   "Negroes and blackamores" from her kingdom.
17th&18th Century
19th & 20th18th Century 
 
 

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