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It’s time for our first #HRPHandover for #BlackHistoryMonth 
Today we’re handing over to historian Michael Ohajuru ( @michael1952). Read on as Michael explores the presence of Black people at the Tudor court, including a figure you may have heard of: John Blanke…
Today we’re handing over to historian Michael Ohajuru ( @michael1952). Read on as Michael explores the presence of Black people at the Tudor court, including a figure you may have heard of: John Blanke…
Hi everyone, I'm Michael Ohajuru ( @michael1952), Director of the John Blanke Project ( @WhoIsJohnBlanke). I've been invited my HRP to share my passion for the Black Tudor #JohnBlanke - what he meant THEN & what he means NOW… [MO]
The #JohnBlankeProject is a contemporary art and archive project celebrating John Blanke, the Black trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII. The project’s strapline is 'Imagine the Black Tudor Trumpeter’… [MO]
![The #JohnBlankeProject is a contemporary art and archive project celebrating John Blanke, the Black trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII. The project’s strapline is 'Imagine the Black Tudor Trumpeter’… [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb9o-pXIAArOlR.jpg "The #JohnBlankeProject is a contemporary art and archive project celebrating John Blanke, the Black trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII. The project’s strapline is 'Imagine the Black Tudor Trumpeter’… [MO]")
The John Blanke Project commissions artists and historians to interpret and imagine the question ‘Who is John Blanke?’ from their point of view. Since 2015 there have been over 80 contributions… [MO]
![The John Blanke Project commissions artists and historians to interpret and imagine the question ‘Who is John Blanke?’ from their point of view. Since 2015 there have been over 80 contributions… [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb98d7WkAATFGI.jpg "The John Blanke Project commissions artists and historians to interpret and imagine the question ‘Who is John Blanke?’ from their point of view. Since 2015 there have been over 80 contributions… [MO]")
![The John Blanke Project commissions artists and historians to interpret and imagine the question ‘Who is John Blanke?’ from their point of view. Since 2015 there have been over 80 contributions… [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb98fiXUAA-JDL.jpg "The John Blanke Project commissions artists and historians to interpret and imagine the question ‘Who is John Blanke?’ from their point of view. Since 2015 there have been over 80 contributions… [MO]")
The origins of the John Blanke Project are in a final year essay I wrote for my @OpenUniversity Art History degree. I discussed the Black King in this piece from the @V_and_A collection, which to my amazement & delight came from early 16th-century Devon. [MO]
![The origins of the John Blanke Project are in a final year essay I wrote for my @OpenUniversity Art History degree. I discussed the Black King in this piece from the @V_and_A collection, which to my amazement & delight came from early 16th-century Devon. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb-GLSX0AAl2Kg.jpg "The origins of the John Blanke Project are in a final year essay I wrote for my @OpenUniversity Art History degree. I discussed the Black King in this piece from the @V_and_A collection, which to my amazement & delight came from early 16th-century Devon. [MO]")
My research revealed that although the Black King in the Adoration was a well-known image in early modern Europe, it was a fiction, a conflation of bible study, courtly practice & artistic convention. Hundreds of versions were produced of this fabricated image. [MO]
![My research revealed that although the Black King in the Adoration was a well-known image in early modern Europe, it was a fiction, a conflation of bible study, courtly practice & artistic convention. Hundreds of versions were produced of this fabricated image. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb-ML3XYAAPk5y.jpg "My research revealed that although the Black King in the Adoration was a well-known image in early modern Europe, it was a fiction, a conflation of bible study, courtly practice & artistic convention. Hundreds of versions were produced of this fabricated image. [MO]")
But in contrast, historians have discovered in the archives there were perhaps hundreds of real people of Black African descent in Britain at the time. However there is only one for whom we have both a written record and an image: John Blanke. [MO]
![But in contrast, historians have discovered in the archives there were perhaps hundreds of real people of Black African descent in Britain at the time. However there is only one for whom we have both a written record and an image: John Blanke. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb-WH5WkAAHFRW.jpg "But in contrast, historians have discovered in the archives there were perhaps hundreds of real people of Black African descent in Britain at the time. However there is only one for whom we have both a written record and an image: John Blanke. [MO]")
So I created the @WhoIsJohnBlanke Project to challenge those folk who cannot ‘Imagine the Black Tudor trumpeter’, who write letters of complaint when they see a Black face in the “wrong” place & time according to their view of British history. [MO]
Like the folk who complained about black characters in @oliverchris 17th-century play about the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh. They wrote that they ‘found it hard to believe that in 1603 there were any black people participating in the trial’. [MO] https://twitter.com/oliverchris/status/1081536017016999936
I see the Black presence at the Tudor court as a natural outcome of Henry VIII's aspiration for his court to be seen as awesome and powerful, not just by the people of Britain, but by the whole of Europe, such was his ambition. [MO]
Henry wanted Britain to punch above its weight on the European stage, competing to be seen as the most magnificent court leading Spain, France & the Holy Roman Empire (like Brexit in reverse!). To do so he imported all the latest styles and fashions. [MO]
For example, his father Henry VII's tomb was designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano, who notoriously gave Michelangelo his broken nose. The European - Florentine Renaissance - influence can be seen in the cherubs either side of the coat of arms. [MO]
![For example, his father Henry VII's tomb was designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano, who notoriously gave Michelangelo his broken nose. The European - Florentine Renaissance - influence can be seen in the cherubs either side of the coat of arms. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb-59AWkAEub7i.jpg "For example, his father Henry VII's tomb was designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano, who notoriously gave Michelangelo his broken nose. The European - Florentine Renaissance - influence can be seen in the cherubs either side of the coat of arms. [MO]")
Black musicians in European courts can be dated from 12th century, with the arrival of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI in Palermo, Sicily announced by Black trumpeters in 1194. [MO]
![Black musicians in European courts can be dated from 12th century, with the arrival of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI in Palermo, Sicily announced by Black trumpeters in 1194. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb_O8cWkAAkrrR.jpg "Black musicians in European courts can be dated from 12th century, with the arrival of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI in Palermo, Sicily announced by Black trumpeters in 1194. [MO]")
Here, the Emperor was borrowing the pomp and ceremony first witnessed in Europe at the 12th-century Islamic courts in Spain, which went on to be replicated in the other royal European courts. [MO]
So John Blanke was just one example of the European courtly conventions Henry VIII imported to demonstrate his court was the equal if not better than any court in Europe. [MO]
Today, John can be seen in written court records held at @UkNatArchives. He first appears in written court records in Nov 1507, paid 8d (old pence) a day or 20 shillings (£1) a month. He is recorded as playing at royal funerals, Henry VIII's coronation, court festivals. [MO]
![Today, John can be seen in written court records held at @UkNatArchives. He first appears in written court records in Nov 1507, paid 8d (old pence) a day or 20 shillings (£1) a month. He is recorded as playing at royal funerals, Henry VIII's coronation, court festivals. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb_nvfXgAAuOej.jpg "Today, John can be seen in written court records held at @UkNatArchives. He first appears in written court records in Nov 1507, paid 8d (old pence) a day or 20 shillings (£1) a month. He is recorded as playing at royal funerals, Henry VIII's coronation, court festivals. [MO]")
He is recorded successfully petitioning the King for a wage increase, arguing he was doing the same work as other trumpeters. He had his pay doubled and back dated! [MO] http://manyheadedmonster.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/john-blanke-henry-viiis-black-trumpeter-petitions-for-a-back-dated-pay-increase-2/
His brief appearances in the records from 1507 to 1512 invite many questions - Where did he come from? Who did he marry? Where did he go? And so on… [MO]
He is also pictured twice on the 60ft Westminster Tournament Roll, held at the College of Arms. This records the joust Henry VIII called in Feb 1511 to celebrate the birth of his son. [MO]
![He is also pictured twice on the 60ft Westminster Tournament Roll, held at the College of Arms. This records the joust Henry VIII called in Feb 1511 to celebrate the birth of his son. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekb_8XgXIAAukCf.jpg "He is also pictured twice on the 60ft Westminster Tournament Roll, held at the College of Arms. This records the joust Henry VIII called in Feb 1511 to celebrate the birth of his son. [MO]")
As Henry wanted his court to be a leading court in Europe, he spared no expense on pageantry, spending to show off to the rest of the continent. The Westminster Joust was one example. [MO]
The Joust was held over two days, 11-12 Feb 1511. Such was the pomp and formalities that if we likened it to an Olympic Games its opening ceremony would be 2 weeks, the actual games just 2 days & its closing ceremony another week! [MO]
![The Joust was held over two days, 11-12 Feb 1511. Such was the pomp and formalities that if we likened it to an Olympic Games its opening ceremony would be 2 weeks, the actual games just 2 days & its closing ceremony another week! [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcAM5xWMAIuuY7.jpg "The Joust was held over two days, 11-12 Feb 1511. Such was the pomp and formalities that if we likened it to an Olympic Games its opening ceremony would be 2 weeks, the actual games just 2 days & its closing ceremony another week! [MO]")
John Blanke is only one of three people on the Roll recognisable by their position and portrait - the other two are King Henry and Queen Katherine. This makes it one of the earliest portraits of a recognisable ordinary working man or woman with a record in Britain. [MO]
![John Blanke is only one of three people on the Roll recognisable by their position and portrait - the other two are King Henry and Queen Katherine. This makes it one of the earliest portraits of a recognisable ordinary working man or woman with a record in Britain. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcC3UMXIAUb4UZ.jpg "John Blanke is only one of three people on the Roll recognisable by their position and portrait - the other two are King Henry and Queen Katherine. This makes it one of the earliest portraits of a recognisable ordinary working man or woman with a record in Britain. [MO]")
Later, in June 1520, Henry VIII met François I of France for a grand European festival, designed to improve relations between the two great rival kingdoms. So magnificent was the occasion that it became known as the Field of Cloth of Gold. [MO]
Henry commissioned a painting of the Field of Cloth of Gold procession, comparable in ambition to the Westminster Tournament Roll capturing the magnificence & drama of the occasion. I would expect to find trumpeters in this painting. [MO]
Image credit: @RCT
![Henry commissioned a painting of the Field of Cloth of Gold procession, comparable in ambition to the Westminster Tournament Roll capturing the magnificence & drama of the occasion. I would expect to find trumpeters in this painting. [MO] Image credit: @RCT](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcB7cSXYAEsmw8.jpg "Henry commissioned a painting of the Field of Cloth of Gold procession, comparable in ambition to the Westminster Tournament Roll capturing the magnificence & drama of the occasion. I would expect to find trumpeters in this painting. [MO] Image credit: @RCT")
Image credit: @RCT
I've looked hard at the painting, but can find no trumpeters announcing Henry's arrival, only an oddly dressed pair on the right by the drinking fountain. Discussion with fellow #twitterstorians revealed them to be masquerading Ottoman trumpeters! [MO] https://twitter.com/WhoIsJohnBlanke/status/1307355310592536576
However, there is a Black trumpeter at part of the Field of Cloth of Gold celebrations - a French one - to be seen in the Field of Cloth of Gold Tapestry. He is depicted playing his trumpet before François I watching a wrestling match. [MO]
![However, there is a Black trumpeter at part of the Field of Cloth of Gold celebrations - a French one - to be seen in the Field of Cloth of Gold Tapestry. He is depicted playing his trumpet before François I watching a wrestling match. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcDcq-WMAACX8O.jpg "However, there is a Black trumpeter at part of the Field of Cloth of Gold celebrations - a French one - to be seen in the Field of Cloth of Gold Tapestry. He is depicted playing his trumpet before François I watching a wrestling match. [MO]")
It could be speculated that this Black French trumpeter is actually John Blanke. He left Henry's court records in 1512, so by 1520 he could be the Black trumpeter in the Tapestry. We don't know, as many French court records were destroyed during the Revolution from 1789. [MO]
![It could be speculated that this Black French trumpeter is actually John Blanke. He left Henry's court records in 1512, so by 1520 he could be the Black trumpeter in the Tapestry. We don't know, as many French court records were destroyed during the Revolution from 1789. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcDhy_XIAUjA4J.jpg "It could be speculated that this Black French trumpeter is actually John Blanke. He left Henry's court records in 1512, so by 1520 he could be the Black trumpeter in the Tapestry. We don't know, as many French court records were destroyed during the Revolution from 1789. [MO]")
You can read more about John Blanke, the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and Henry VIII’s court at #HamptonCourtPalace on the HRP website. [MO] http://hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/john-blanke
To conclude my #HRPHandover, while John Blanke is the first person of African descent for whom we have both an image and a record, he was not the only Black Tudor. Historians Onyeka Nubia & @MirandaKaufmann &
Imtiaz Habib have written about over 200 other #BlackTudors. [MO]
![To conclude my #HRPHandover, while John Blanke is the first person of African descent for whom we have both an image and a record, he was not the only Black Tudor. Historians Onyeka Nubia & @MirandaKaufmann & Imtiaz Habib have written about over 200 other #BlackTudors. [MO]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkcD1QNWkAAgRIh.jpg "To conclude my #HRPHandover, while John Blanke is the first person of African descent for whom we have both an image and a record, he was not the only Black Tudor. Historians Onyeka Nubia & @MirandaKaufmann & Imtiaz Habib have written about over 200 other #BlackTudors. [MO]")
Imtiaz Habib have written about over 200 other #BlackTudors. [MO]
I urge you to check out their books. And if you want to know how John Blanke's image and presence is being understood and re-interpreted today by historians & artists, check out @WhoisJohnBlanke or go to http://JohnBlanke.com [MO]
Or for John’s history you can also go to his Oxford Dictionary of National Biography ( @ODNB) entry. [MO] https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-107145
Finally I’d like to close by thanking @HRP_palaces for this opportunity for me @michael1952 to share my passion the image and reality of the Black presence in Renaissance Europe in general and England in particular. [MO]
http://veronese1515.blogspot.com
http://veronese1515.blogspot.com
