Evil May Day

Evil May Day or Ill May Day is the name of a xenophobic riot which took place in 1517 as a protest against foreigners (called "strangers") living in London. Apprentices attacked foreign residents ranging from "Flemish cobblers" to "French royal courtiers". Some of the rioters were later hanged, although King Henry VIII granted a pardon for the remainder following public pleadings from his wife Catherine of Aragon.