What has been the Black presence in Britain throughout history?

Britain – Blackness in Britain

In this course, Dr Tony Talburt (Birmingham City University) explores the Black presence in Britain throughout history. In the first lecture, we think about the history of the Black presence in Britain, starting around 9000BC. In the second lecture, we think about some of the key Black figures in Britain during the Victorian period. Next, we think about some of the Black writers who have worked to resolve racial discrimination. In the fourth and final lecture, we think about the role of the Black Arts Movement in 20th century Britain.

What has been the Black presence in Britain throughout history?

In this lecture, we think about the earliest recorded Black presences in Britain, focusing in particular on: (i) the common misconceptions that the Black presence in Britain began with the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush in 1948, or even with the Atlantic slave trade; (ii) the ‘Cheddar Man’, who analysis has shown would likely have had very dark skin; (iii) inscriptions found in Cumbria describing a ‘Moorish’ unit posted along Hadrian’s Wall in the Roman era; (iv) the presence of ‘Afro-Romans’ in the North of England; (v) Septimius Severus, Roman emperor from 193-211, who was of African heritage on his father’s side; (vi) Septimius Serverus’ arrival in England in 208 to defend the northern border from Caledonian attack; (vii) the 1596 and 1601 open letters, purportedly written by Elizabeth I, which demanded the removal of ‘Blackamoors’ from Britain; (viii) John Blanke, the trumpeter from Henry VII and VIII’s court, depicted on the ‘Westminster Tournament Roll’ in 1511; (ix) Ignatius Sancho as a key figure in the 18th century who began life as a slave but fought to become an abolitionist, writer and composer; (x) Olaudah Equiano, a writer and abolitionist who became part of the Sons of Africa abolitionist group; (xi) Olaudah Equiano’s 1789 book The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vass the African; (xii) Mary Prince’s 1831 book The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave; (xiii) Thomas Pringle, a Scottish abolitionist who was told of Mary Prince’s experiences.