William Shakespeare

King John William Shakespeare

King John of England indignantly rejects the message of the French envoy, Chatillon, that Philip, king of France, has decided to support the claim of young Prince Arthur-the son of John's deceased older brother Geffrey-for the throne of England. At the same time, the Faulconbridge brothers bring their domestic quarrel to the king's court: Philip (identified throughout the play as the "Bastard") complains that his younger brother Richard has claimed his lands. Philip decides, however, to surrender his claim and to seek success on his own initiative after acknowledging that he is the son of the late King Richard I, John's brother. Embarrassed, Philip's elderly mother admits that Richard was indeed his father. At the French court, King Philip of France and the duke of Austria vow to fight on behalf of Arthur's claim, while Arthur, in exchange for their military support, is willing to forgive Austria for having killed his uncle, King Richard. Chatillon reports that the English forces are marching to Angiers, led by John, who has brought along his formidable mother, Eleanor of Acquitaine, as well as the Bastard. John enters to demand that France support his right to the English throne, but King Philip upholds Arthur's claim.