Tuesday, June 9, 2020

BBC News: Henry VIII"s black trumpeter


John Blanke performing



Westminster Tournament, 1511
(National Archives, United Kingdom)



By Kameron VirkNewsbeat reporter
9 June 2020
***
During the Tudor period there were hundreds of black
migrants living in England. For those of us a bit rusty 
on our Tudor dates, we're talking about the 1500s.

John Blanke, an African trumpeter, was one of 
them. His face can be seen inscribed into a 
60ft long roll depicting the prestigious Westminster 
Tournament of 1511 - an elaborate party which 
Henry VIII put on to celebrate the birth of a son.

There's even a letter from John Blanke to Henry VIII 
asking for a pay rise.

"He petitioned for 8p a day. I don't know what the 
conversion is today, but that showed he knew his 
worth," Lavinya says.


at 8:04 PM

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