Henry VIII’s court was full of music. His accounts show that he employed 60 musicians at one point. One interesting name stands out from the lists musicians though, ‘Blynd Dyk.’ Very little is known about this man, other than he was an harpist who began serving at Henry VIII’s court some time prior to 1511, and ended his employment in September, 1516. From his name, we can surmise that he was blind and that his Christian name was Richard. Here is a summary of his appearances in Henry VIII’s accounts:
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6th December, 1511 – a warrant was delivered to the Great Wardrobe for a livery gown of tawney for ‘Blynde Dikke.’
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30th June – 24th November, 1513 – ‘Blynd Dyk’ and three other minstrels were paid 6 pence. a day whilst serving in the retinue of Viscount Lisle who participated in Henry VIII’s invasion of France.
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From May 1514 onwards – he received 6 shillings 8 pence. per month wages
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August-October 1514 – Blynd Dyk received his wages for these months as an advance, suggesting he was travelling
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14th November, 1514 – warrant to the Great Wardrobe to deliver ‘Blynde Dyck’ and ‘our minstrels’ tawny livery gowns.
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1st January, 1516 – Blynd Dyk along with ‘Andrew fideler,’ were amongst those listed as receiving a monetary gift from the king of 5 shillings each.
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October 1516 – Blynd Dyk’s payment for Septermber had ‘Nihil’ written next to them, and the payments of a fellow harper, William More, doubled. This suggests that at the end of September, Blynd Dyk left Henry VIII’s service, either due to starting new employment, retirement, or death.
