John Blanke - Tudor Trumpeter

We don’t know the full story of John Blanke’s early life but we know that he was a skilled trumpeter who served initially under King Henry VII and then with his son King Henry VIII. Blanke performed at royal events and ceremonies such as Prince Arthur’s funeral in 1502 and Henry VIII’s coronation in 1509. Blanke was a paid professional, who received a wage, in fact he petitioned the King for a raise in 1507 – and got one.

Blanke appears in the Westminster Tournament Roll of 1511, an illustration that commemorates a jousting tournament held to celebrate the birth of Henry VIII’s son. Blanke is the only Black Tudor figure we know who appeared in a portrait. His depiction shows that the Black African presence in the UK stretches back centuries.

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