King John

The Life and Death of King John, a history play by William Shakespeare, dramatises the reign of John, King of England (ruled 1199–1216), the son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the father of Henry III of England. It is believed to have been written in the mid-1590s, but it was not published until 1623, when it appeared in the First Folio. Characters King John – King of England Eleanor – the Queen mother, widow of King Henry II Prince Henry – his son, later King Henry III Blanche of Castile – John's niece Earl of Essex – an English nobleman Earl of Salisbury – an English nobleman Earl of Pembroke – an English nobleman Lord Bigot – Earl of Norfolk Peter of Pomfret – a prophet Philip Faulconbridge – also known as Philip the Bastard and Sir Richard the Plantagenet; natural son of Richard I of England Robert Faulconbridge – his half brother; legitimate son of Sir Robert Faulconbridge Lady Faulconbridge – their mother; widow of Sir Robert Faulconbridge James Gurney – her attendant Lady Constance – widow of Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany Prince Arthur – her son, King John's nephew, claimant to the English throne and eventual Duke of Brittany Sheriff Two Executioners English Herald English Messenger King Philip II – King of France Louis the Dauphin – his son Viscount of Melun Châtillon – French ambassador to England Hubert – citizen of Angiers and later a follower of King John Citizen of Angiers French Herald French Messenger Limoges, Duke of Austria (composite of Widomar, Viscount of Limoges and Leopold V, Duke of Austria) Cardinal Pandolf – legate from Pope Innocent III Lords, soldiers, attendants etc. Synopsis