Person    | Male 

John Blanke

Categories: Music / songs, Race Issues

Countries: Africa

Trumpeter in the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII. He probably came to England as one of the African attendants of Catherine of Aragon in 1501, and is one of the earliest recorded black people in England after the Roman period. Wikipedia strangely says that his surname may be a reference to his skin colour, derived either from the word 'black' or from the French 'blanc' meaning white!

The first person of African descent in British history for whom there is both an image and a record.

This image shows Blanke playing at the Westminster Tournament of 1511.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Blanke

Commemorated ati

John Blanke

Black trumpeter John Blanke musician at the courts of Henry VII & Henry V...

Read More

John Blanke - Trinity Laban Conservatoire

'fl' stands for 'floruit' (Latin) which means 'he or she flourished', and den...

Read More

Other Subjects

Mrs Jemima Luke

Mrs Jemima Luke

Writer of hymns and religious studies. Born Jemima Thompson in Islington. She planned to do missionary work in India, but illness prevented her from doing so. She married the Reverend Samuel Luke, ...

Person, Literature, Music / songs, Religion

1 memorial
Maida Vale Studios

Maida Vale Studios

Opened as the Maida Vale roller skating palace and club. Demolished and rebuilt in 1933/34, It now comprises seven studios and is used for recording a large variety of music and other programmes fo...

Building, Music / songs, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Joe Meek

Joe Meek

Record producer, e.g. 'Have I the right'.  Born Robert George Meek in Newent Gloucestershire, where there is a plaque. First truly independent record producer.  'Telstar' for The Tornados was the f...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Richard Wright

Richard Wright

Musician. One of the founders of the Pink Floyd group.

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte DBE

Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte DBE

Theatre manager. Born Suffolk Street, Pall Mall. Grand-daughter of Richard D'Oyly Carte. Became her father's heir at the age of 24 on the death of her brother in a motoring accident. She took an a...

Person, Commerce, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial