Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds
The permanent site of the Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
It's by no means a complete list, but on this page in the Culture Section you'll find some books that we feel we can recommend for more in depth study or interest.
The Gypsies first appeared in Germany in 1407.
The first anti-Gypsy law was passed (the first of 48 such laws between then and 1774).
The Gypsies were driven out of Frankfurt-am-Main by force.
The Reichstag meetings in Frelbourg and landau accused the Gypsies of being foreign spies, carriers of plague and traitors to Christendom, practising witchcraft, banditry and cannibalism.
All Gypsies were ordered out of Germany by Emperor Maximilian and by the same law they could be killed with impunity.
They were banished from Saxony.
The Gypsies were deprived of travel documents in Augsburg.
1531 and Saxony 1579 and banished.
Death penalty for Gypsies found in Saxony 1661, Mainz 1714 and Prussia 1725.
Law stating that Gypsies had to be arrested, their property confiscated, the leaders killed and the rest expelled. Punishment also for those who helped them.
These decrees stayed in force until 1845.
Nomadism forbidden and Traveller trades banned.
Clergy forbidden by the Church to baptise or bury Gypsies.
Gypsies banished, those remaining could be killed without trial.
In the 18th and 19th centuries further decrees against Gypsies, who were not legally admitted until 1954.
The Gypsies were banished by decree.
The penalties against Gypsies included confiscation of property, flogging and branding.
In the 17th and 18th centuries there were "Gypsy Hunts" by soldiers and police; anyone could lawfully kill a Gypsy
"Gypsy Hunts" encouraged as a means of driving out the Gypsies.
Gypsies put top the rack or released to be killed as free game.
Everyone given the right to kill Gypsies.
Gypsies prohibited on pain of mutilation or death.
Gypsies banished by law.
Death penalty for Gypsies remaining in France
Between 1539 and 1784 13 anti-Gypsy laws passed banishing them or punishing them because they were Gypsies. Sentences included corporal punishment (for men and women), being sent as galley slaves, deportation, confinement to the workhouse, branding and imprisonment.
Ban on the entry of Gypsies and notice given to all Gypsies to leave the country.
Gypsies needed licence to travel from place to place.
Death penalty for Gypsies remaining in the country more than one month.
Law repeated and extended. Laws relating to rogues and vagabonds 1596, 1743, 1783, 1822 and 1824 applied specifically against Gypsies. Later in the 19th and 20th centuries Public Health Acts were used against Gypsies.
Onwards Empress Maria Theresa forced settlement on Gypsies, taking away children to be fostered by non-Gypsies, even making marriage difficult.
From the 14th century Gypsies became bonded serfs. Restrictions in the Civil Codes applied to Gypsy serfs limiting their marriage and making them slaves from birth. 1856 Gypsy slavery was abolished. 200,000 Gypsies were freed.
All Gypsies expelled.
Law repeated. Remaining Gypsies sentenced to forced labour.
Gypsies banished on pain of death. Gypsy leaders executed immediately.
This law repeated. 1683 Sailors forbidden to carry Gypsies on their ships, ships confiscated if they did.
Death penalty replaced by total banishment of all Gypsies. Fines for anyone who employed Gypsies.
In the 19th Century Gypsy trades obstructed by police regulations and surveillance.
From the First record of Gypsies in Britain in 1505 to the Criminal Justice Act abolishing Caravan Sites Act in 1994 leaving Gypsy families homeless. See the whole history here.