Welcome To The Oldest Black British History Website
Black British history is a topic that will engage and astound you.
I began to become really interested in Black history 20 years ago, whilst studying at University. The things that I learned in a history module sparked my interest and changed my life forever. So much so that I decided to create TheBlack Presence in Britain Websiteto share everything that I found with you.

The First Settlers

Who were the first black people in Britain, when did they arrive, and why..

Trans Atlantic Slave Trade

The Impact the Slave Trade had on Britains’ black population

Black Tudors & Beyond

There is evidence of Black people in Britain during the Tudor period. Learn more about black Tudors..

Caribbean Migrants

Learn about the Windrush Generation and the impact they had on British society.

African Migrants

Britain’s Black population is changing as more people migrate from African countries.

Mixed Heritage

Intermingling between people of different ethnic backgrounds has led to a growing number of mixed race people in Britain.

Politics

We find Black people working in politics at both local councils and national government.

Armed Forces

Learn about the contributions of black people in the British Armed Forces from before WW1 to the present day.

Sports

Black and mixed-race Athletes, sportsmen and women have made a strong impact on British Sports..

The Arts

Black entertainers, such as Singers, Actors, Musicians and poets are renowned across the world

African Americans

Many African Americans have made an impact in Britain learn more about some of the more notable black Amercians…

Other

Articles that don’t fit into other categories.

Welcome To The Oldest Black British History Website
Black British history is a topic that will engage and astound you.

I began to become really interested in Black history 20 years ago, whilst studying at University. The things that I learned in a history module sparked my interest and changed my life forever. So much so that I decided to create The Black Presence in Britain Website to share everything that I found with you.

For example, did you know that there has been a continuous Black presence in Britain since Roman times?

Black British History has remained in the background for so long, that it is a commonly held misconception that Black people only arrived in the UK in the latter half of the 20th century. This belief is incorrect, and throughout this website, you will find plenty of evidence to prove it.

It’s time to set the record straight.

Learn About Black British History

Anyone interested in Black British History can research instances of Black Romans in London, York and Hadrians Wall, and the Black captives of the Vikings called the (Blåmann).

In Tudor times, there are many instances of Africans in England, the best known, John Blanke worked as a trumpeter for King Henry VIII.  The Academic and Author, Miranda Kaufman discovered up to 300 Africans living in Britain in the Tudor Period, again something that has largely been unspoken of, despite the records all being in the public domain.

From the 1500s began to come more numerous in Britain after the establishment of the Transatlantic Slave trade, often coming to Britain via Spain or Portugal.

It should be noted that most of the first Africans to come to Britain were not Slaves, as is usually thought. Most were free, working as traders, emissaries, interpreters, soldiers, sailors, divers, musicians servants and a range of other roles throughout early Britain.

Africans are mentioned in 17th Century court cases.  Cases such as the Somerset Case, and the Yorke Talbot Ruling, as former Slaves petitioned for their freedom.

We see former Black Loyalists who fought for Britain during the American War of Independence.  The Parish records of Britain’s churches, particularly in cities such as London, Liverpool and Bristol, record the presence of black parishioners, through births, deaths and marriages.

Africans appear in historical artworks from paintings of the aristocracy to Hogarth’s etchings.  Black People are everywhere in Britain’s history. Until the 1980s, black history had simply been overlooked by the majority of mainstream, 20th-century historians.

If you enjoy learning about history, I do hope that you will like this website. Feel free to share links and contribute to it through comments, social media, and link to it from your website.

1. 1. What are the key themes and events covered in the Oxford Companion to Black British History?

The Oxford Companion to Black British History covers a wide array of themes and events spanning from Roman times to the present day. Key themes include the early presence of Africans in Britain, such as African auxiliaries stationed on Hadrian’s Wall in the 2nd century AD, and notable historical figures like Mary Seacole, John Edmonstone, and Walter Tull.

The book provides an encyclopaedia-style list of alphabetical entries with a thematic contents list and a historical timeline. It discusses various aspects of Black British history, including cultural, social, and political contributions. However, it has faced criticism for its organisation and selection criteria, with some entries seeming arbitrary and lacking clear definitions of what constitutes Black British history. The Companion highlights the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of Black individuals and communities in Britain, addressing both historical and contemporary issues.

Overall, while the book is considered a valuable resource, it has been noted for some inaccuracies and biases, particularly in its focus on cultural and literary topics over political history