The pioneering art-history project on the first recorded Black man in British history

'Brilliantly illuminates the overlooked chapters of Black Tudor England' – Professor Corinne Fowler, The University of Leicester

'Encourages a deeper empathetic engagement with our shared past' – Professor David Olusoga, University of Manchester

On a sixty‑foot vellum scroll known as the Great Tournament Roll of Westminster, a single Black trumpeter rides among Henry VIII’s musicians, his instrument draped with royal arms. That figure – the black Tudor trumpeter John Blanke – is the first known person of African descent in Britain for whom we have both an identifiable image and written records.

Who Is John Blanke? Historians and Artists Reimagine the Black Tudor Trumpeter is a richly produced work of art and history, edited by art and cultural historian Michael I. Ohajuru, founder of the acclaimed John Blanke Project. Bringing together historians, visual artists, poets, photographers, rappers and playwrights, it transforms a handful of archival references into a vivid, many‑voiced portrait of Black presence in Tudor England and Renaissance Europe.

From court payment books that record Blanke’s wages and successful petition for a pay rise, to royal gifts of a violet wedding gown and bonnet, the book carefully reconstructs what we can know of John Blanke's life as one of the African musicians in Henry VIII’s court. These documents sit alongside a full discussion of the Great Tournament Roll of Westminster, where John Blanke appears twice among a troop of six trumpeters leading royal processions. Together, they anchor the book’s exploration of Africans in early modern Britain and the wider Black presence in Renaissance Europe.

Around this historical core, 114 contributors respond to the prompt “I imagined John Blanke as…”. Their answers range from lyrical essays and sharp historical insights to striking black‑and‑white drawings, photographs, rap verses and poems. We see John Blanke as virtuoso jazz ancestor, as working court professional, as migrant, husband, wage‑earner and “agent of change”; as symbol, inspiration and fellow member of the African diaspora. This unique conversation between archive and imagination makes the volume stand out among Black history books about England.

A specially written introduction traces the origins of the John Blanke Project Michael Ohajuru in gallery talks, exhibitions and the live “John Blanke Live!” symposia, while a foreword by Dr Bonnie Greer celebrates the emotional impact of seeing Blanke’s face on the original Roll for the first time. High‑quality reproductions and elegant design frame the artworks and texts, making this a beautiful example of Black Tudors nonfiction illustrated – as at home on a coffee table as in a classroom.

This book is ideal for readers of Miranda Kaufmann’s Black Tudors or David Olusoga’s Black and British, for anyone curious about Black British history Tudor England, and for all who want to see Britain’s past in full colour rather than in selective monochrome. It offers rich material for teachers seeking multicultural British history education resources, museum and heritage professionals rethinking their displays, and students exploring African Europeans Renaissance history for the first time.

Above all, Who Is John Blanke? invites you to imagine – and to rethink what you thought you knew. If you have been told there were no Black people at the Tudor court, this book’s fanfare of images and voices will prove otherwise. Let the art and history of John Blanke change the way you see Tudor England – and claim your place in a longer, deeper story of Britain’s past.

Reviews

The John Blanke Project redefines historical exploration by merging practical scholarship with innovation and critical imagination. Anchored in social justice, it reveals the overlooked narratives of Black Tudor England, enriching our grasp of diversity and British identity. By blending art and history, it encourages a deeper empathetic engagement with our shared past, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable understanding of history. David Olusoga, Professor of Public History, The University of Manchester

The John Blanke Project brilliantly illuminates the overlooked chapters of Black Tudor England, blending rigorous scholarship with creative vision. Its profound commitment to uncovering the full spectrum of our heritage challenges us to embrace a more diverse and inclusive narrative of British history. A landmark in historical exploration, this project transforms our understanding and appreciation of the past. Corinne Fowler, Professor of Colonialism and Heritage, The University of Leicester

The John Blanke Project offers a transformative lens on British history, spotlighting the pivotal yet frequently overlooked roles of Black Britons in our shared heritage. This project stands shoulder to shoulder with my work on Ignatius Sancho, each amplifying the other, as we strive to paint a more inclusive and comprehensive portrait of our past. Paterson Joseph, British Actor and Author, Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University

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