in Henry the Eighth (All Is True) — Shakespeare, William; Fletcher, John
Metadata
Play
Henry the Eighth (All Is True)
Author
Shakespeare, William; Fletcher, John
Year (catalogued)
1623
First performance
1613
Decade
1620s
Genre
History
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
King's Men
Speech prefix(es)
L. San. | San.
Words
337
Characters
1714
Typicality
0.52 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A11954.24
BritDrama no.
1674
Cluster
Cluster 16 — Errand servants & brief parts
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
New customs, Though they be never so ridiculous, (Nay let they be unmanly) yet are followed. They have all new legs, And lame ones; one would take it, That never see they pace before, the Spauen A Spring-halt rained among they. 'Tis time to give they Physic, their diseases Are grown so catching. The Devil fiddle they, I am glad they are going, For sure there's no converting of they: now And honest Country Lord as I am, beaten A long time out of play, may bring his plain song, And have and hour of hearing, and by't Lady Held currant Music too. No my Lord, Nor shall not while I have a stump. He may my Lord, Ha wherewithal in him; Sparing would show a worse sin, then ill Doctrine, Men of his way, should be most liberal, They are set here for examples. I am your Lordship's. Sir Thomas Lovel, had the Cardinal But half my Lay-thoughts in him, some of these Should find a running Banquet, ere they rested, I think would better please they: by my life, They are a sweet society of fair ones. I would I were, They should find easy penance. As easy as a down bed would afford it. By my faith, And thank your Lordship: by your leave sweet Ladies, If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me: I had it from my Father. Oh, very mad, exceeding mad, in love too; But he would bite none, joust as I do now, He would Kiss you Twenty with a breath. For my little Cure, Let me alone. Your Grace is Noble, Let me have such a Bowl may hold my thanks. And save me so much talking. The read wine first must rise In their fair cheeks my Lord, then we shall have they, Talk us to silence. Yes, if I make my play: Here's to your Ladyship, and pledge it Madam: For 'tis to such a thing. I told your Grace, they would talk anon.
Plot summary
Plot — Henry the Eighth (All Is True)
The Kings of England and of France meet for a magnificent summit conference organized by Cardinal Wolsey. The English nobles resent Wolsey’s influence with the King, but Wolsey strikes first against the ringleader, Buckingham: evidence from his former surveyor, who bears him a grudge, secures his arrest; conviction for treason and execution follow. Queen Katherine persuades the King to repeal taxation which is causing hardship; Wolsey has it put about that his intercession secured this. King Henry attends a banquet at Wolsey’s house, performs in a masque of shepherds, and meets Anne Boleyn. Rumours circulate that he and the Queen are at odds: he claims to be troubled by the fact that she was originally married to his brother, but others notice that he is keen to marry Anne. Wolsey counsels divorce. A legatine court is summoned to judge the case, but Katherine refuses to co-operate and the court breaks up without reaching a decision. The King secretly marries Anne. The nobles conspire to overthrow Wolsey. Documents proving his corruption and treachery accidentally fall into the King’s hands, and Buckingham’s surviving allies serve him with articles of impeachment. He falls sick and dies. Anne is crowned Queen. Katherine too falls sick. Before her death she is visited by benevolent spirits, and by Caputius, the Imperial Ambassador, by whom she sends the King a request to love their daughter and provide for her former servants. Anne goes into labour and produces a daughter. A cabal of councillors attempts to overthrow Archbishop Cranmer, whom they consider a heretic. Before the hearing, Henry gives Cranmer his ring; the Archbishop produces it at a crucial moment, ensuring that the case is referred to the personal judgement of the King, who rebukes the conspirators. The vindicated Cranmer christens Henry’s new daughter, Elizabeth, and prophesies a golden future for England under her and her eventual successor.