Black and Asian people in British history

1
Black and Asian people in British history

• Uncovering the hidden history
• Alison Gove-Humphries
• (History Adviser BASS)

2
A 2000 year presence

• People of African and Asian origin have lived in
  Britain for at least two millennia
• By 1948, when the SS Windrush arrived, Britain
  had a firmly established Black and Asian
  population.

3
The Roman Empire

• AD 193 and 211 the Roman empire included peoples
  from Syria, Germany, Britain, Spain and Africa.
• Eight African men had positions of command in the
  northern Roman legions
• One of these was the Emperor Septimius Severus.

4
The Romans in British history

• Other African officers, soldiers and slaves in
  Britain in the 3rd century.
• Several of a number of Roman skeletons excavated
  at York between 1951 and 1959 could have been of
  African origin.
• Numerus Maurorum was stationed at Burgh-by-Sands
  near Carlisle.

5
John Blanke Tudor trumpeter

• Regular musician at court of Henry VII and Henry
  VIII.
• Took part in several tournaments and celebrations

6
Elizabeth I

• From 16th century, the employment of Black people
  more common.
• Queen Elizabeth employed Black musicians. Also
  had a Black maidservant
• 1595 and 1601, Elizabeth tried to deport Black
  people, saying there were too many in the realm.

7
Famous Black people in the 18th century

• Olaudah Equiano (1745- 1797)
• Francis Barber (1735-1801)
• Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780)

8
Local History

• Steam engines made by Boulton and Watt used on
  slave plantations.
• Anti Slavery Society
• Visit of Olaudah Equiano to Birmingham 1789