John Blanke - the Black Tudor
By Milan Perera, Third Year English Literature
“John Blanke, the Black trumpeter in Tudor courts provides a fascinating insight into the multicultural and cosmopolitan nature of 16th century London.”
It is not uncommon that, even today, many people would associate Black history in Britain to the transatlantic slave trade, or in some cases to the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks. But due to recent scholarship thanks to historians such as Miranda Kaufmann and David Olusoga, we are beginning to see a different representation of Black people on these shores beyond suffering and enslavement but that of esteem and pride.
What comes to your mind when you think of “Tudor England”? Perhaps, the striking portraits of Hans Holbein; sumptuous palaces with satin and silk and jousting tournaments; or in popular culture, television shows such as ‘The Tudors'. The latter seems to precipitate the prevailing perceptions of a period characterised by power-mad and lustful aristocrats behaving erratically - flashing pearly white skins at a drop of a hat, albeit a gable hood. One is forgiven to think that the Tudor period was one cultural and social monolith due to the way it has been portrayed through the vista. John Blanke's presence challenges these preconceptions about the Tudor era and provides a fascinating glimpse into the multicultural tapestry of the time.
Early Life and Arrival in England
Little is known about John Blanke's early life. His story begins in 1507 when he first appears in historical records as a "blacke trumpeter." It is widely believed that he was of African descent, likely born in Spain or Portugal, and arrived in England as part of the entourage of Catherine of Aragon when she came to marry Prince Arthur, the heir to the English throne. The existence of John Blanke is not a result of tenuous conjectures of an armchair historian but that of entries in the National Archives.
John Blanke Project
The Project, which began in 2016, has its genesis in renewing the discourse about Black history in Tudor England. Michael I. Ohajuru, the Director of the project comments, “Some people couldn’t imagine a Black Tudor.” Historians contributed with gathering the missing links and piecing together the life of John Blanke as a trumpeter at Tudor courts who witnessed some of the biggest events during this period such as the lavish festivities to mark the birth of the long-awaited son of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
Blanke at the Tudor Court
John Blanke's role as a trumpeter at the Tudor court was no small matter. The Tudor court was a place of immense cultural significance, and music played a pivotal role in its ceremonies and festivities. As a trumpeter, Blanke would have been responsible for announcing important events and ceremonies with his majestic trumpet calls. The 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll is a significant piece of document of social history as the 60 feet long painted roll features John Blanke attending to his duties as a court musician. This was during the famous jousting tournament which Henry VIII organised to mark the birth of his future heir who died a few weeks later.
The earliest entry of John Blanke appears in December 1508 where his wages were marked down along with other musicians. The payment reads 8 pence (20 shillings). John Blanke subsequently asked for a pay rise which was duly met by Henry VIII. His wages were doubled and increased up to 40 shillings. This further proves the cordial terms he maintained with the king. Regarding the favourable response of the king, Ohajuru provides a cogent theory. He maintains that as Henry himself was a skilled musician, it was highly likely that the court musicians were held in great esteem, in contrast to his father Henry VII. He goes on to say that the king would have “jammed” with his court musicians as his duties allowed.
Blanke's presence at the Tudor court challenges prevailing notions about race and diversity in 16th century England. It is a testament to the multicultural nature of Tudor society, which was not as homogeneous as commonly portrayed. His position at court suggests that, at least for some, skill and talent were more important than racial background.
Furthermore, Blanke's tenure as a Black trumpeter in the Tudor courts underscores the relatively cosmopolitan nature of London at the time. The city was a melting pot of cultures, and its residents would have been accustomed to seeing people of various backgrounds.
While John Blanke's story remains relatively obscure, it is a reminder of the complexity and diversity of the Tudor era. His presence at court challenges historical stereotypes and reminds us that Black history was intertwined with European history before the transatlantic slave trade.