Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

SELLENGER

in 2 Edward the Fourth — Heywood, Thomas (?)

Metadata

Play2 Edward the Fourth
AuthorHeywood, Thomas (?)
Year (catalogued)1600
First performance1599
Decade1600s
GenreHistory
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyDerby's (Strange's) Men
Speech prefix(es)Sel. | Se.
Words246
Characters1242
Typicality0.39 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA03224.2
BritDrama no.1196
ClusterCluster 23 — Gulls, fops & laughing-stocks

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

A gentleman from the K. of France my Lord, Craves parlance with your excellence. Wilt not be dishonour having landed So great and army in these parts of France, And not to fight before we do return: I thats the question whither he will yield, And do King Edward fealty or no. With all my heart my L. I am for Burgun e. My Lord I do assure you it is so. Fare you well Sir, I hope I have pepperd you. I, my dread Lord beyond comparison, Like a mad dog snatching at every one That passes by: shall I but show you how, And act the manner of his tragic fury? They did my Lord. 'Tis as your highness did suppose my Lord, ere is a messenger from Burgundy. Will you be halting too before a creeple? Do you not remember what they were, That first did certify the Duke of truce, Betwixt the renowned Edward and the French? Those soldiers were this Gentleman and I, Where we did hear y e foul mouthde Duke exclaim Against our noble Sovereign and this Prince, And rorde and bellowed Like a parish bull, And that in hearing both of you and him, His words so please my Lord I can repeat, As he did speak them at that very time. Sport my Lord? will you but hear me speak, And if I do not weary you with laughter, Near trust Tom Sellinger more upon his word.

Plot summary

Plot — 2 Edward the Fourth
King Edward invades France; but the Duke of Burgundy and the Constable of France fail to supply the military aid they promised. Several English soldiers are shot by the Constable's men in a failed attempt to assassinate Edward; the Constable pleads an accident,The English herald sent to King Louis is offered peace terms, which Edward modifies: Louis must submit to his suzerainty, and pay both the expenses of the invasion and an annual tribute thereafter. Louis accepts the offer and a treaty is agreed. Burgundy and the Constable try to double-cross both Edward and one another: each writes independently to both Edward and Louis, offering Louis Edward's murder and Edward assistance against Louis. Edward feigns deafness, forcing the envoys to speak loud enough for the hidden Louis to hear; then confronts the envoys with their masters' treachery. He returns to England, leaving troops in France to help Louis rout the traitors. Jane Shore visits the London prisons, distributing alms to the prisoners. Brakenbury solicits her help to procure a pardon for his kinsman Strangwidge, whose actions against French shipping were committed in ignorance of the recent treaty which made them piratical. Also condemned is his passenger, known as Flood but actually Matthew Shore. The Queen first confronts, then forgives Jane for her adultery with Edward. The King pardons Strangwidge and his crew, and Jane pays their prison fees herself. Brakenbury employs 'Flood' at the Tower. Edward has fallen ill and is anxious about a prophecy that 'G' will dispose of his sons and usurp the throne. His brother Clarence is imprisoned and drowned in the Tower. Edward dies and Richard of Gloucester becomes Lord Protector. Jane is expelled from court, and goes to stay with Mistress Blague. Richard lodges the young King and his brother in the Tower and has them murdered. 'Flood' is wounded in an altercation with the murderers and seeks succour at Mistress Blague's inn, where he is tended by Jane. The ghost of Friar Anselm tells Dr Shaw that everyone involved in the death of the princes will come to a bad end; Richard will reign only three years. Richard issues a proclamation banning anyone from giving Jane food or shelter, and Mistress Blague turns her out; but not soon enough to evade being arrested. Jane does penance. Several grateful Londoners give her food, but are arrested. Aire is hanged and Jockie whipped, but 'Flood' exonerates himself by revealing his true identity: it cannot be illegal…