A TIMELINE OF BLACK BRITISH HISTORY TUDORS & STUARTS AD 1485 - 1714

The Tudor and Stuart periods saw monumental change in the relationship between Europe and their continental neighbours. As the period begins, we see evidence of integrated societies at different levels of local and national life. By the close, Britain is embarked on a frenzied mission to extend their colonial reach and primed to step into an industrial revolution, powered by the outrageous wealth accumulation made possible by the triangular slave trade. THE COURT OF JAMES IV AD 1488 - 1513

King James IV Scotland had numerous qualities and successes; he united the highlands and lowlands; he created a Scottish navy; and maintained alliances with France and England. It is clear that he was also something of a forerunner in regards multi-culturalism. Records show that many black people were present at the court of James IV – servants yes but also invited guests and musicians. Much of what we know comes from the royal treasurers accounts which show that James’ purse paid wages and gifts to numerous ‘moors’. African drummers and choreographers were paid to perform, to have instruments repainted, or bought horses to accompany James on tour. The records also show black women present being gifted clothing, fabric and large sums of money. CATALINA & CATALINA AD 1501 In 1501 ‘la infant’ Catalina, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, arrived in Plymouth to begin a new life in England. She came from one royal household and was travelling in preparation to be married into another, the fledgling Tudor dynasty. She was promised to Arthur, heir to the English throne. Yet she would arrive in a decidedly un-English way. When Catherine entered London she made a public display of her roots, riding ‘a mule richly trapped after the manner of Spain’. Her auburn hair was braided and her Spanish ladies wore ‘busteous and marvellous’ hooped gowns. Among these ladies was at least one black moor from Grenada – another Catalina. The royal Catalina, after her first husband, Arthur’s death, would marry Henry VIII and be known to us as Catherine of Aragon. The other would later return to Spain to marry a crossbow maker. THE ROYAL TRUMPETER AD 1506–12

Of all the black British Tudors, and there were many, there is one who is best known to us and probably best known at the time. It is supposed that like Catalina, John Blanke arrived with Catherine of Aragon as part of her entourage. However by 1506 he is employed directly by Henry VIII who would, three years later, become king. Records show Blanke was paid 8d per day but later petitioned the king and was successful in his request for 100% pay rise to 16d a day. In 1511, Prince Henry was born to Catherine and Henry. To celebrate a great festival was held, the Westminister Tournament. The 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll depicts the event and shows the royal trumpeters in their finery twice – at the beginning and the end. As such, John Blanke is the first settled black Britain for whom we have a face and a name. FIRST BRITON IN AFRICA AD 1530s

Trade between Europe and the West coast of Africa would come to be common place but in the early 1500s such a journey was practically unheard of. William Hawkins of Tavistock in Devon seems to be the first to venture that far in search of the fabled riches of Africa. He made it to the Guinea coast, leaving a seaman behind and returning to Britain with an African chieftain. ABOARD THE MARY ROSE AD 1545 In 1545, when the Mary Rose sailed down the Solent, equipped to engage the attacking French galleys, its crew of several hundred mariners and soldiers would have been, as befitting one of the flag ships of the royal armada, the navy's finest. That crew, 179 of whom were found during the excavations of the sunken ship, were sailors who called England home. Among them was a man we know as ‘Henry’, a muscular teenager of North African origin living in England. He died in the bowels of the Mary Rose, where he served to keep the hold watertight. "Archer Royal", no name but this epithet, died on deck. It is suggested he shared, with Henry, this African heritage. But their lives were markedly different. In "Archer Royal's" possession were symbols of status - a sword, comb and a wrist guard bearing the royal arms of England. THE ROYAL COURTS LESSON 1

The Tudor family and the Stewart family ruled Scotland and England for hundreds of years. Their courts, at Stirling and in London, were filled with all different kinds of people. Both in Scotland and in England, the Royal courts contained people from different parts of the world, including people of African origin. THE COURT OF JAMES IV AD 1488 - 1513

King James IV Scotland had numerous qualities and successes; he united the highlands and lowlands; he created a Scottish navy; and maintained alliances with France and England. THE COURT OF JAMES IV AD 1488 - 1513

He also had a very diverse court. Records show that many black people were present at the court of James IV – servants yes but also invited guests and musicians. THE COURT OF JAMES IV AD 1488 - 1513

African musicians and choreographers were paid to perform, to have instruments repainted, or bought horses to accompany James on tour. THE COURT OF JAMES IV AD 1488 - 1513

The records also show black women present being gifted clothing, fabric and large sums of money. People who were part of the court like this were known as courtiers. A DAY AS A COURTIER

Today we are going to write about one day in the life of a courtier.

Let’s start with this title. A DAY AS A COURTIER

We’re going to write a diary as if we are this courtier in the painting. Let’s call her Catalina.

We’ll do some reading to help us. As you read, make some notes of what could go in your diary. ONE DAY AS A COURTIER

Tudor and Stewart kings and queens spent much of their time surrounded by ladies of the court and gentlemen called courtiers. When the monarch moved from one place to another, the court went too.

Why did the courtiers follow the monarch? Most courtiers were already rich and had their own houses. They hoped that the king or queen would take notice of them or their relatives, and reward them with jobs or titles that would make them even richer. However, being a courtier was very expensive. You had to spend a great deal of money on fine clothes and buy the monarch expensive presents.

What was life like at court? Courtiers were given their own rooms in each of the royal palaces. They all had their own servants, who slept either in the same rooms or in the corridors. At Hampton Court, when King Henry VIII was in residence, about 500 people lived there. There were three enormous kitchens where cooks prepared all sorts of roast meats, pies and fancy desserts. Rich people were not very fond of vegetables though! Everyone at court was also provided with a daily allowance of wine (for the courtiers) or beer (for the servants). ONE DAY AS A COURTIER

What was a day like for a courtier?

Rise, shine and avoid the WC The more senior courtiers have a two-room lodging where they sleep. You’ve brought your own furniture by cart and your servants have hung your tapestries, set up your bed and arranged the furniture.

It is here that you wake and are dressed by your servants, who sleep in the outer room. As the court gets going in the morning, everyone is interested in what the monarch is going to do. This very much determines today’s activities. Each day will dominated by hunting or religion – perhaps both.

Eat, hunt and lose money You eat two meals a day: a sort of brunch mid-morning and dinner in the late afternoon. These are set moments and the senior courtiers eat in the outer rooms of the royal lodgings, summoned by trumpets when food is ready.

After brunch it is time for activities. If you are lucky you might be invited to hunt (all the Tudor monarchs hunted fearlessly and well: Henry VII and VIII also played tennis, bowls and liked to see chicken’s fight!). Courtiers join in these sports and make heavy wagers. Losing money at these, and at cards and dice, is an occupational hazard for you. ONE DAY AS A COURTIER

Be ready to party... every night There are many religious feast days at court. On these occasions, the outer rooms are set up and eating and drinking goes on into the night.

After eating there will be a play or dancing – sometimes into the small hours.

Crawl into (yet another) bed This might all sound like fun. It probably isn’t. It is very expensive being at court, despite the fact that you get free board and lodging. Appearances have to be kept up and, what with gambling, tipping and maintaining your horses and servants, many courtiers end up financially ruined.

Continually moving from house to house as the king moves round the country is exhausting and disruptive. There are long days when you never see the king and have to hang around with other, equally bored, courtiers. On these days, you often long to be in your own house with your family.

On busy days like this, you might look forward to retiring to your inner chamber at night with candles and a good book, hoping that the next day brings something worthwhile. ONE DAY AS A COURTIER Catalina’s Diary

Now write a short diary entry as if you are Catalina. Can you imagine what happened today? What did you do? How did you feel? ART Paint a self-portrait as a Royal Courtier THE ROYAL TRUMPETER LESSON 2

Of all the black British Tudors, and there were many, there is one who is best known to us and probably best known at the time. He was a trumpeter known as John Blanke. THE ROYAL TRUMPETER AD 1506–12

It is supposed that like Catalina, John Blanke arrived with Catherine of Aragon as part of her entourage. However by 1506 he is employed directly by Henry VIII who would, three years later, become king. Records show Blanke was paid 8d per day but later petitioned the king and was successful in his request for 100% pay rise to 16d a day THE ROYAL TRUMPETER AD 1506–12

In 1511, Prince Henry was born to Catherine and Henry. To celebrate a great festival was held, the Westminister Tournament. The 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll depicts the event and shows the royal trumpeters in their finery twice – at the beginning and the end. As such, John Blanke is the first settled black Britain for whom we have a face and a name. THE ROYAL TRUMPETER AD 1506–12

Today we’re going to look at the pictures from the Westminster Tournament Roll and describe what John Blanke saw on that day. The Procession

______The Tournament ______The Royal Box ______ART Create your own horseman to add to the Westminster Tournament Roll