The Remarkable Life of John Blanke: Black Tudor Trumpeter at the Court of Henry VIII

This animated short film brings to life the story of John Blanke, a musician of African descent who became one of the most notable figures of Tudor England. Created by children aged 8 to 12 during a three-day animation course at Nine Elms Studio with Chocolate Films Workshops, the film forms part of the 1000 Londoners Project.

John Blanke is one of the earliest recorded Black people in Britain. He was a royal trumpeter who performed at the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII, taking part in historic events such as the funeral of Henry VII and the coronation of Henry VIII in 1509.

He appears twice in the Westminster Tournament Roll – a 60-foot manuscript celebrating the birth of Henry VIII’s son. This image is the only known portrait of a Black Tudor, making John Blanke a unique figure in both Black British history and Tudor history.

Blanke likely arrived in London in 1501 with Catherine of Aragon, and his exceptional musical talent earned him both high wages and royal recognition. In the 1510s, he petitioned Henry VIII for a pay rise – and won. When he married in 1512, the King himself gifted him a new outfit. The last known reference to Blanke is in 1512, but his presence in Tudor court life remains an important reminder of the long and diverse history of Black people in Britain.

🎬 Watch the film above to see his story retold through the eyes of London’s young animators.
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