Knowledge of Africans in Tudor England influenced the work of leading English writers such as William Shakespeare, according to historian Onyeka, author of ‘Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, their Presence, Status and Origins’ . 

The evidence is based on more than two decades of research and over 250,000 documents and artefacts mainly from Tudor England (1485-1603).

Onyeka argues that Africans had a rich and diverse presence in Tudor England that transcends the familiar and singular slavery story.

In this podcast segment, Onyeka talks about a Black woman known as Lucy who may have been the inspiration behind some of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Click here.