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)
Citizen
Words
441
Characters
2320
Typicality
0.41 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A68278.1
BritDrama no.
824
Cluster
Cluster 2 — Allegory, Nature & pageant voices
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
For our lawful King. And it please your Highness we comptrol not your title, neither will we rashly admit your entrance: if you be lawful King, with all obedience we keep it to your use, if not King, our rashness to be impeached for yielding, without more considerate trial: we answer not as men lawless, but to the behoof of him that proves lawful. No my Lord, till we know more. We answer as before till you have proved one right, we acknowledge none right, he that tries himself our Sovereign, to him will we remain firm subjects, and for him, and in his right we hold our Town as desirous to know the truth as loath to subscribe before we know? More than this we cannot say and more than this we dare not do. We care not which, if once we knew the right, But till we know we will not yield our right. Kings, Princes, Lords & Knights assembled here, The Citizens of Angiers all by me Entreat your Majesty to hear them speak: And as you Like the motion they shall make, So to account and follow their advice. Then thus: whereas that young & lusty knight Incites you on to knit your kingly strengths: The motion cannot choose but please the good, And such as love the quiet of the State. But how my Lords, how should your strengths be kni ? Not to oppress your subjects and your friends, And fill the world with brawls and mutinies: But unto peace your forces should be knit To live in Princely league and amity: Do this, the gates of Angiers shall give way And stand wide open to your hearts content. To make this peace a lasting bound of love, Remains one only honourable means, Which by your pardon I shall here display. Lews the Dolphin and the heir of France, A man of noted valour through the world, Is yet unmarried: let him take to wife The beauteous daughter of the King of Spain, Near to K. John, the lovely Lady Blanch, Begotten on his Sister Elianor. With her in marriage will her uncle give Castles and Towers as fits such a match. The Kings thus joined in league of perfect love, They may so deal with Arthur Duke of Britain, Who is but young, and yet unmeet to reign, As he shall stand contented every way. Thus have I boldly (for the common good) Delivered what the City gave in charge. And as upon conditions you agree, So shall we stand content to yield the Town. We joy to see so sweet a peace begun.
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.…