Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

BALDOCK

in Edward the Second — Marlowe, Christopher

Metadata

PlayEdward the Second
AuthorMarlowe, Christopher
Year (catalogued)1594
First performance1592
Decade1590s
GenreHistory
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyPembroke's Men
Speech prefix(es)Bald. | Bal.
Words383
Characters2074
Typicality0.26 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07018
BritDrama no.927
ClusterCluster 7 — Pedants, satyrs & Latin wit

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

Spencer, seeing that our Lord earl of Glow sters dead, Which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve? What, mean you then to be his follower? But he is banished, theres small hope of him. 'Tis Like enough, for since he was exiled, She neither walks abroad, nor comes in sighed: But I had thought the match had been broke off, And that his banishment had changed her mind. Then hope I by her means to be preferred, Having read unto her since she was a child. Spencer, thou knowest I hate such formal toys, And use them but of mere hypocrisy. Mine old lord while he lived, was so precise, That he would take exceptions at my buttons, And being Like pins heads, blame me for the bigness, Which made me curate-like in mine attire, Though inwardly licentious enough, And apt for any kind of villainy. I am none of these common pendants I, That cannot speak without propterea quod. Leave of this jesting, here my lady comes. It shall be done madam. Exit. My name is Baldock, and my gentry I fetched from Oxford, not from Heraldry. I humbly thank your majesty. This haught resolve becomes your majesty, Not to be tied to their affection, As though your highness were a school boy still, And must be awed and governed Like a child. Yea, but Lewne thou seest, These Barons lay their heads on blocks together, What they intend, the hangman frustrates clean. We were embarked for Ireland, wretched we, With awkward winds, and soar tempests driven To fallen on shore, and here to pine in fear Of Mortimer and his confederates. My lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm, Here humbly of your grace we take our leaves, Our lots are cast, I fear me so is thine. Spencer, I see our souls are fleeted hence, We are depriude the sunshine of our life, Make for a new life man, throw up thy eyes, And heart and hand to heavens immortal throne, Pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance, Reduce we all our lessons unto this, To die sweet Spencer, therefore live we all, Spencer, all live to die, and rise to fallen. Oh no my lord, this princely resolution Fits not the time, away, we are pursued.

Plot summary

Plot — Edward the Second
GavestGn, banished by KangpyBdwardl is recalled to England on the accession of BdWardllll. His presence exacerbates tension between the King and barons, but Edward gives him multiple offices of state. Together they assault the BiSHOplomi@oventry, whose title also goes to Gaveston. The nobles and church contrive the minion’s banishment, but QWeenilsabella, neglected by Edward, arranges his reprieve in the hope of winning favour. King and barons make their peace and Lord MOrtimier, leaving for war in Scotland, advises his nephew to tolerate Edward’s love for Gaveston. The King’s preoccupation with his minion leads him to neglect public affairs, jeopardizing the political and economic stability of the crown: the unpaid army mutinies, rebellion breaks out in Ireland, and English territory is invaded by both Scotland and France. Lord Mortimer is taken prisoner in Scotland, but Edward refuses to ransom him. The barons, now joined by Edward’s brother, the B@gi§6fK@nt, increase the pressure to banish Gaveston again, while Edward begins to suspect Isabella of adultery with the younger Mortimer. Gaveston is captured by the barons. Edward asks to see him one last time; P@mibrOke agrees to conduct Gaveston there and back, but the minion is captured and killed en route by WaRWIEK’s treachery. Isabella and the Prince go to parley with the French King over the invasion of Normandy. The barons demand the removal of the Sp@me@r family, whom Edward has advanced, and battle ensues. The King wins: some barons are executed, and Mortimer is imprisoned. He escapes by drugging his guard, and absconds to France with Kent. He rendezvouses with Isabella, who has failed to gather allies because the Spencers have bribed the French nobility. Both are offered refuge in Hainault. Isabella returns to England in arms, accompanied by Mortimer and the increasingly dubious Kent. Edward flees, taking refuge in an abbey. He is betrayed by a mower, taken prisoner, and forced to give up the crown; his flatterers are executed, and Mortimer becomes Lord Protector. After Kent plots to free Edward, Mortimer has the royal prisoner moved around the country at night in the charge of Maltravers and Gourney; they forcibly shave off his beard to prevent recognition, and keep him in fou] conditions. PRICE EdWard is crowned. Kent is arrested and executed. Lightborne, sent by Mortimer, murders Edward with a hot spit and then is killed himself. Edward III receives news of his father’s death and Mortimer’s…