Africans were far more integrated into the English community than we expect. Black People were baptized, married and buried in English Churches. They developed long standing intimate relationship with English people. In October 1616 George "a Blackamoor" married Maria Smith in Kent, Gylman Ivye described as a Negro of Ethiop had two children named Elizabeth and Richard with Ann Spencer of Dyrham Gloucestershire in 1579 and 1581. They were the first of over 30 children of mixed parentage to be ound in parish registers before the out break of the Civil War in 1642.
The lives of Free Black Men and Women living in the country 500 years ago tell a far more positive story than is usually told. Their contribution to British history was not merely as victims of white slave traders. Its important that this contribution is understood and respected by all British People both Black and White.
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