Africans in Tudor England

Would it surprise you to know that one of the Royal Trumpeters at the court of Henry VIII was an African? Or that the salvage divers for the Mary Rose were specifically recruited from Africa because Englishmen didn’t know how to swim? Come explore these tales and others from Miranda Kauffman’s book, Black Tudors, in a special book club event jointly sponsored by The Black History Museum and Agecroft Hall. Faithe Norrell and Anne Kenny-Urban will provide context for 16th century Africa and the England before opening up the floor for discussion of why these free black men and women came to England, what contributions they made and how they were received by white Englishmen. Learn who stayed and who returned to Africa. You may be surprised by some of the answers!

Reading the book in advance is encouraged, but absolutely not required.