An Extraordinary Tudor

About this session

Key stage 2 | Subject: History, English | Topics: Tudors | Session Type: Online session

Explore life at Tudor court through the eyes of trumpeter John Blanke.

This fun and interactive session gives children the opportunity to examine evidence to find out what it tells us, and what it doesn’t tell us, about this extraordinary Tudor; the first Black person in the UK to have an identifiable portrait. Children are introduced to simple primary source material and everyday historical terms as we explore why we are more familiar with some historical figures than others and why John Blanke’s legacy is so important.

Hear from John Blanke about key moments in his life and explore evidence to uncover hidden stories while learning all about the important role of a trumpeter in the court of Henry VIII.

This session features pre-recorded videos and is led by a skilled facilitator who can respond to your class. You will receive support to set up the technology needed ensuring a smooth and engaging session.  

Learning objectives

Children will:

• Use historical source evidence to find out information about lesser-known historical figures.
• Discover what life was like for a Tudor musician in the households of Henry VII and Henry VIII.
• Learn about the lives of people of diverse heritage in 16th Century Britain.

National Curriculum links

This session supports:

• Exploring a theme in British history that extends chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
• Understanding the methods of historical enquiry and how evidence is used to make historical claims.
• Understanding how knowledge of the past is constructed through sources.

Booking information

Availability

2026

Tuesday 15 September - sold out
Tuesday 22 September - sold out
Thursday 24 September - sold out
Tuesday 6 October - sold out
Tuesday 20 October – 09.30 and 11.00 available
Thursday 22 October – sold out 
Tuesday 3 November – 11.00 available
Tuesday 17 November
Thursday 19 November - 09.30 and 13.30 available
Tuesday 1 December - 11.00 available

2027:

Tuesday 12 January
Tuesday 26 January
Thursday 28 January - 11.00 and 13.30 available
Tuesday 9 February
Tuesday 23 February - 09.30 and 13.30 available
Thursday 25 February - 09.30 and 11.00 available
Tuesday 9 March - 11.00 and 13.30 available
Tuesday 23 March - 11.00 and 13.30 available
Thursday 25 March – 09.30 available
Tuesday 13 April
Tuesday 27 April - sold out
Tuesday 11 May
Tuesday 25 May
Tuesday 8 June - 11.00 available
Tuesday 22 June - 13.30 available
Tuesday 6 July - 13.30 available
Tuesday 20 July

09.30, 11.00, 13.30

Duration
Please allow 1 hour

Capacity
35 students

Price
Free