Publisher's Synopsis
King John of England is pitted against the united powers of France, Brittany, Austria and the papacy. Will England be destroyed by his fatal indecision? As alliances are made, broken and remade, the paranoid and erratic John reveals his weaknesses and reliance on those around him.Enter KING JOHN, QUEEN ELINOR, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, SALISBURY, and others, with CHATILLONKING JOHNNow, say, Chatillon, what would France with us?CHATILLONThus, after greeting, speaks the King of France In my behavior to the majesty, The borrow'd majesty, of England here.QUEEN ELINORA strange beginning: 'borrow'd majesty!'KING JOHNSilence, good mother; hear the embassy.CHATILLONPhilip of France, in right and true behalf Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son, Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim To this fair island and the territories, To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine, Desiring thee to lay aside the sword Which sways usurpingly these several titles, And put these same into young Arthur's hand, Thy nephew and right royal sovereign.KING JOHNWhat follows if we disallow of this?CHATILLONThe proud control of fierce and bloody war, To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld.KING JOHNHere have we war for war and blood for blood, Controlment for controlment: so answer France.CHATILLONThen take my king's defiance from my mouth, The farthest limit of my embassy.KING JOHNBear mine to him, and so depart in peace: Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France; For ere thou canst report I will be there, The thunder of my cannon shall be heard: So hence! Be thou the trumpet of our wrath And sullen presage of your own decay. An honourable conduct let him have: Pembroke, look to 't. Farewell, Chatillon.Exeunt CHATILLON and PEMBROKEQUEEN ELINORWhat now, my son! have I not ever said How that ambitious Constance would not cease Till she had kindled France and all the world, Upon the right and party of her son? This might have been prevented and made whole With very easy arguments of love, Which now the manage of two kingdoms must With fearful bloody issue arbitrate.KING JOHNOur strong possession and our right for us.QUEEN ELINORYour strong possession much more than your right, Or else it must go wrong with you and me: So much my conscience whispers in your ear, Which none but heaven and you and I shall hear.Enter a SheriffESSEXMy liege, here is the strangest controversy Come from country to be judged by you, That e'er I heard: shall I produce the men?