Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

CANTERBURY

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)Bish.
Words350
Characters1860
Typicality0.38 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07018
BritDrama no.927
ClusterCluster 14 — Law & judgment

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

To celebrate your father's exequies, But is that wicked Gaveston returned? I did no more then I was bound to do, And Gaveston unless thou be reclaimed, As then I did incense the parliament, So will I now, and thou shalt back to France. For this offence be thou accursed of God. True, true. First were his sacred garments rend and torn, Then laid they violent hands upon him next, Himself imprisoned, and his goods asceasd, This certify the Pope, away take Horse. What need I, God himself is up in arms, When violence is offered to the church. What else my lords, for it concerns me near, The Bishopric of Coventry is his. But yet lift not your swords against the king. My lords, to eaze all this, but hear me speak, We and the rest that are his counsellers, Will meet, and with a general consent, Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. At the new temple. Give me the paper. Why are you moved, be patient my lord, And see what we your councillors have done. You know that I am legate to the Pope, On your allegiance to the sea of Room, Subscribe as we have done to his exile. Remember how the Bishop was abused, Either banish him that was the cause thereof. Or I will presently discharge these lords, Of duty and allegiance endue to thee. Nothing shall altar us, we are resolved. Are you content to banish him the realm? Now is my heart at ease. Your grace mistakes, it is for England's good, And princely Edwards right we crave the crown. This answer weel return, and so farewell. If he be not, let him choose. Further, or this letter was sealed, Lord Bartley came, So that he now is gone from Killingworth, And we have herd that Edmund laid a plot, To set his brother free, no more but so, The lord of Bartley is so pitiful, As Leicester that had charge of him before. Long live king Edward, by the grace of God King of England, and lord of Ireland.

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…