10 BLACK BRITONS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
The role of Black men and women in the United Kingdom is often overlooked in the history books. As recently as 2001, the BBC commissioned a poll of the greatest Briton ever, spawning a television series and the votes of more than 1.5 million people for the final list of 100. There was not one Black or Asian face among them.
The arrival of people from the Caribbean to Britain on the Empire Windrush in 1948 has been mythologised as the defining moment that changed Britain from an exclusively white population into a racially diverse one; the beginning of a constant Black British presence in this country.
Yet there is substantial evidence of an African presence in Britain since the Roman period, and a constant presence since the 16th century, living far more integrated lives in British communities than previously understood.
Black History Month has become an important event in the UK calendar to recognise the economic, cultural and political contributions of people of African heritage. Patrick Vernon, who co-authored 2020’s 100 Great Black Britons with Angeline Osborne, picks out 10 Black Britons from his book who everyone should know about.
John Blanke
Trumpeter (16th century)
John Blanke’s presence in history is now quite well known but his life remains a mystery. His last name is an ironic joke, his first name an English one; did he have an African name? The documents tell us he was one of eight royal trumpeters who played at the funeral of Henry VII in May 1509 and at the coronation of Henry VIII in June that same year. In 1511 he played at the special tournament in Westminster to celebrate the birth of Henry’s first son.
While Blanke’s presence aligns with the trend for European royalty to employ Africans as musicians, entertainers and servants, Africans were not
