I was honoured to be at the College of Arms for the launch of the Michael Ohajuru’s book ‘Who is John Blanke?’
Blanke was a Black trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII and is the first person of African descent in British history for whom we have both an image and a record. The images of him are on the Great Tournament Roll of Westminster which is kept at the College of Arms.
Inspired by this enigmatic figure, Michael invited over 100 artists and historians to imagine John Blanke’s world. He asked me to design the book which was published by Martin Hickman at Canbury Press.
This was not my first encounter with John Blanke. Back in 2015 I commissioned Clare Curtis to illustrate him for Hampton Court Palace’s 500th anniversary.
Blanke was a Black trumpeter to the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII and is the first person of African descent in British history for whom we have both an image and a record. The images of him are on the Great Tournament Roll of Westminster which is kept at the College of Arms.
Inspired by this enigmatic figure, Michael invited over 100 artists and historians to imagine John Blanke’s world. He asked me to design the book which was published by Martin Hickman at Canbury Press.
This was not my first encounter with John Blanke. Back in 2015 I commissioned Clare Curtis to illustrate him for Hampton Court Palace’s 500th anniversary.
