King John

Roles

• Prince Arthur
• Hubert

About this piece

Prince Arthur begs for his life

Summary

King John is visited by a French emissary, Chatillon. In the presence of his mother Eleanor and several lords, the king of England is asked by the French King Philip to abdicate in favor of Arthur, the king's elder brother's son, who claims to be the rightful heir of Richard the Lionhearted. If he refuses the king of France threatens to got to war against him. King John refuses and sends him away. John oversees a land dispute between Robert Falconbridge and his older brother Philip (known as 'the Bastard'), during which it becomes apparent that Philip is the illegitimate son of the previous king of England, Richard the Lionhearted, and therefore King John's half-brother. Queen Eleanor recognises the family resemblance and suggests that he renounce his claim to the Falconbridge land in exchange for a knighthood. John knights the Bastard under the name Richard. In France a battle between the French, led by Philip, and the English takes place outside the gates of the city of Angers, an English ruled town that refuses to recognize either Arthur or John as kings when they see that neither army has defeated the other. Eventually a truce is worked out between the warring factions following an advice of the citizens of Angers who propose to have Philip's son, Louis, marry King John's niece, Blanche. Under the pressure of the Pope, however, Philip is later forced to break from King John. The war continues and Prince Arthur is taken prisoner. King John asks his loyal servant Hubert to guard but then kill Prince Arthur. This is the scene where Hubert enters the Prince's cell with two executioners in order to kill him. Prince Arthur begs for his life and Hubert, moved, spares him.

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