in 1 The Troublesome Reign of King John — Anonymous (?)
Metadata
Play
1 The Troublesome Reign of King John
Author
Anonymous (?)
Year (catalogued)
1591
First performance
1591
Decade
1590s
Genre
History
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
Queen Elizabeth's Men
Speech prefix(es)
Chatt. | Chattilion | Chatilion | Chattilion.
Words
310
Characters
1674
Typicality
0.40 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A68278.1
BritDrama no.
824
Cluster
Cluster 6 — Battlefield messengers & soldiers
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
His Highness at my coming was in health, And wild me to salute your Majesty, And say the message he hath given in charge. Philip by the grace of God most Christian K. of France, having taken into his guardain and protection Ar thur Duke of Britain, son & heir to Jeffrey thine elder bro there, requires in the behalf of the said Arthur, the Kingdom of England, with the Lordship of Ireland, Poiters, Anjou, Torain, Main: and I attend thine answer. Then King of England, in my Master's name, And in Prince Arthur Duke of Britain's name, I do defy chee as and Enemy, And wish thee to prepare for bloody wars. Be I not brief to tell your Highness all, He will approach to interrupt my tale: For one self bottom brought us both to France. He on his partly will try the chance of war, And if his words infer assured truth, Will lose himself and all his followers, Ere yield unto the least of your demands. The Mother Queen she takes on amain Gainst Lady Constance, counting her the cause That does effect this claim to Albion, Conjuring Arthur with a Grandames care, To leave his Mother; willing him submit His state to John and her protection, Who (as she says) are studious for his good: More circumstance the season intercepts: This is the sum, which briefly I have shown. Of England Earl Pembroke and Salsbury, The only noted men of any name. Next them a Bastard of the Kings deceased, A hardy wild head, tough and venturous, With many other men of high resolve. Then is there with them Elinor Mother Queen, And Blanch her Niece daughter to the King of Spain: These are the prime Birds of this hight adventure. Is this thine answer? This shall I do, and thus I take my leave.
Plot summary
Plot — 1 The Troublesome Reign of King John
Jel becomes King of England; but young Prince (Athi son of his elder brother, also has title to the throne, and his claim is supported by Philip of France. John refuses to give up his kingdom and prepares to invade France. Before he goes, he has to settle a dispute between the brothers Falconbridge: the younger brother RObéft alleges the bastardy of the elder, PHilip} thereby establishing Philip as the natural, if illegitimate, son of King Richard and Robert as rightful heir of Falconbridge. Philip is impelled to accept royal parentage, the better to pursue his ambitions, and he joins King John’s expedition to France. The Kings of England and France confront one another outside the English-held town of Angers. When the citizens refuse to yield to either John or Arthur until one or the other is proven the rightful King, the bastard suggests that the warring kings should join forces against the town, and cement the alliance with a marriage between fh@§Daphin and John’s niece, Blai@He (even though he covets Blanche for himself). John and King Philip agree terms: Blanche’s dowry is to include a substantial part of England’s French possessions, and King Philip transfers his support from Arthur to John. Seeking vengeance for his father, King Richard, the bastard challenges Allisttid to a duel, but Austria will not accept even when John creates the bastard a duke. Cardinal Pandulphiéxcommunicates John for his interference in ecclesiastical affairs. John refuses to submit to papal authority, so King Philip switches his allegiance back 1589 to Arthur and war resumes. The bastard kills Austria in’ battle and England is victorious: Arthur is taken | prisoner and committed to Hubert’s custody. John does his best to break the Pope’s power in England, and has himself crowned again. The bastard: ransacks ecclesiastical establishments, and discovers the wealth and sexual corruption of the Catholic . church. H@BG#t is ordered to blind Arthur, but Arthur. persuades him that God’s commands have priority. over the King’s, and Hubert spares him. The barons ask John for Arthur’s release, since he is no longer a threat; but Hubert reports that the boy was blinded and has died of his injuries. The barons are outraged, the King discomfited; Hubert admits the truth, but Arthur throws himself from the castle walls, and the barons find his body. Recognizing that the papal interdict absolves them of their duty of obedience to John, they invite Louis the Dauphin to invade England.…