I imagined John Blanke as a confident, assured Black man.

A man who knew his own value…his own worth.  Indeed so did the King of England, who awarded him not only a pay rise but also special robes to mark royal occasions.

To petition Henry VIII for increased wages illustrates that John Blanke no doubt had the ‘gift of the gab’. He was able to put his case in a concise way to obtain a positive outcome.

I imagine him telling stories through his music and voice – a true inspiration to us all.

Sandra A. Agard Hons FRSL
Author, Storyteller and Literature Consultant