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Black Tudors

The Untold Story

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Black Tudors

By: Miranda Kaufmann
Narrated by: Corrie James
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About this listen

A Black porter publicly whips a White English gentleman in a Gloucestershire manor house. A heavily pregnant African woman is abandoned on an Indonesian island by Sir Francis Drake. A Mauritanian diver is dispatched to salvage lost treasures from the Mary Rose.... Miranda Kaufmann reveals the absorbing stories of some of the Africans who lived free in Tudor England.

From long-forgotten records, remarkable characters emerge. They were baptized, married, and buried by the Church of England. They were paid wages like any other Tudors. Their stories, brought viscerally to life by Kaufmann, provide unprecedented insights into how Africans came to be in Tudor England, what they did there, and how they were treated. A groundbreaking, seminal work, Black Tudors challenges the accepted narrative that racial slavery was all but inevitable and forces us to reexamine the 17th century to determine what caused perceptions to change so radically.

©2017 Miranda Kaufmann (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Europe Great Britain Historical England Tudor Middle ages Africa Royalty Imperialism Latin American United Kingdom Social justice British Empire Tudor England

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All stars
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Fascinating history of black history in Tudor times let down by a white, lofty and aristocratic reading by the narrator.

Some very difficult words to the modern ear abound and should come with a warning at the start of the book this is unsuitable for playing in public and may be upsetting - earphones delivery is recommended.

Fascinating history with lofty white narration

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I was looking forward to this book as I love history but I found it didn’t hold my interest.
I didn’t enjoy the narration which made me feel I was in a boring lecture.
The stories had the potential of being so interesting but the individuals got lost in all the dealings going on around them. I understand that there is scant information about some of them but I felt they became secondary to other characters and events.

Disappointing

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This is a thoroughly researched work, but could have been much shorter and more dynamic.

There is a lot of unnecessary detail, with only tenuous links to the subjects. It may give a little background but feels like padding.

Each chapter begins as if from the subject's viewpoint. This is supposition, not history.

Unfortunately the narrator didn't help - I felt like I was sitting in a primary school class, being talked down to, especially when there were quotations - all read with a "pantomime baron" voice.

It's a shame - it is important that this subject is written and talked about - but this is not an engaging piece.

Important but disappointing

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I am going to simply agree with most other reviewers: the content is most definitely valuable and the research is impressive. Both narration and the writing style, on the other hand, are formal and really quite academic, making it a tough book to listen to. The chapters are mismatched, and the reading pace can be generously sped up. All in all, valuable information and knowledge, just not so suitable for audio format.

It was probably worth it

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I have read this excellent book before so thought I'd try the audio version. I was not let down. Highly enjoyable and well researched. A necessary book for any history lover

excellent

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I knew very little about this subject but I am so glad that I read this book as it opened up a whole new world for me.

Excellent scholarship and accessible writing produced an interesting and enlightening story of the lives of several black men and women who led successful lives in an England where slavery did not exist. Some had lowly and perhaps despised lives as sex workers but others ran their own businesses and learned trades. Many led respectable married lives and produced children. Some were associated with the gentry or aristocracy and some were called upon to serve royalty. All of them were unique and talented in their own way and many led adventurous lives.

The book left me with many questions such as why it was not possible for England to continue in this enlightened fashion; perhaps if it had there would not be the societal problems in today's troubled world.

I thoroughly recommend this book which was well narrated and kept my attention all the way through.

Excellent in every way.

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Thoroughly researched and revealing history of Black people living freely in England during Tudor times. For some reason the chapter titles do not line up with the narrative, which is a bit disconcerting. Apart from that, would recommend to any one interested in English history, not just from a Black perspective.

Forgotten history of Black people in England.

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The history is not just about slavery. It is so much more. Educated Thank you

Refreshing

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Charming piecing together of story about life in tudors and specific black individuals. Interesting reading !

Really interesting reset of Tudor lives

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A really excellent book, hugely well-informed (the author has a doctorate from Oxford on the subject), and full of human interest. I listened to the whole thing in about two days.

Aside from its main subject matter, the book is also full of great little facts (e.g., the exact % of cows bequeather in wills, who are mentioned by name)

Fascinating and beautifully written

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