The Life and Death of King John is one of the Shakespearean histories, plays written by William Shakespeare and based on the history of England. The play dramatizes the reign of King John of England (reigned 1199–1216), son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and father of Henry III of England. Traditionally, the works of William Shakespeare have been grouped into three categories: tragedies, comedies, and histories. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... England is the largest and most populous of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom (the United Kingdom is a nation which was created by the bonding of the four succsessor states). ... John deer hunting, from a manuscript in the British Library. ... Events John Lackland, becomes King of England Births Isobel of Huntingdon (d. ... // Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, invades England in the First Barons War Henry III becomes King of England. ... Henry II of England (5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, and as King of England (1154–1189) and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland, eastern Ireland, and western France. ... Eleanor of Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine (Aliénor dAquitaine in French), Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony and Countess of Poitou (1122[1] –April 1, 1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Europe during the High Middle Ages. ... Henry III (1 October 1207 – 16 November 1272) was crowned King of England in 1216, despite being less than ten years of age. ...

Sources

Shakespeare's play possesses a close relationship with an earlier history play, The Troublesome Reign of King John (ca. 1589). The consensus among modern scholars is that the earlier play provided a source and model for Shakespeare's work.^{[citation needed]} The Troublesome Reign of King John (ca. ... Events Rebellion of the Catholic League against King Henry III of France, in revenge for his murder of Duke Henry of Guise. ...

Date and text

The play was in existence by 1598, since it is mentioned by Francis Meres in his list of Shakespearean plays published in that year; however, no early performances are recorded. Indeed, the earliest known performance took place in 1737, when John Rich staged a production at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. In 1745, in the atmosphere of the Jacobite rebellion of that year, competing productions were staged by Colley Cibber at Covent Garden and David Garrick at Drury Lane. Charles Kemble's 1823 production made a serious effort at historical accuracy. Since then, King John has been one of Shakespeare's least-performed plays.^[1] The play was first published in the First Folio in 1623. Events January 7 - Boris Godunov seizes the throne of Russia following the death of his brother-in-law, Tsar Feodor I. April 13 - Edict of Nantes - Henry IV of France grants French Huguenots equal rights with Catholics. ... Francis Meres (1565 - January 29, 1647), was an English churchman and author. ... Events 12 February — The San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated. ... John Rich (1682 - 1761) was an important theater manager in 18th century London. ... The interior of the third and largest theatre to stand at Drury Lane, c. ... // Events May 11 - War of Austrian Succession: Battle of Fontenoy - At Fontenoy, French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army including the Black Watch June 4 – Frederick the Great destroys Austrian army at Hohenfriedberg August 19 - Beginning of the 45 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan September 12 - Francis I is elected... The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in the British Isles occurring between 1688 and 1746. ... Colley Cibber, actor, playwright, Poet Laureate, first British actor-manager, and head Dunce of Alexander Popes Dunciad. ... The Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House is a performing arts venue in London. ... Portrait of David Garrick David Garrick (February 19, 1717 – January 20, 1779) was an English actor, dramatist, theatrical producer and theatrical manager, and a friend and pupil of Samuel Johnson. ... Charles Kemble (November 25, 1775 - November 12, 1854) was a British actor. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The title page of the First Folio with the famous engraved portrait of Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout The First Folio is the name given by modern scholars to the first published collection of William Shakespeares plays; its actual title is Mr. ... Year 1623 (MDCXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Performance History

Numerous 17th century references to King John testify to the play's popularity, but the first recorded performance didn't take place until 1737. David Garrick staged the first successful revival in 1745, and Charles Kemble staged a production in 1823 that was important for inaugurating the 19th century tradition of striving for historical accuracy in Shakespearean production. Other successful productions of the play were staged by William Charles Macready (1842) and Charles Kean (1846). 20th century revivals include Robert B. Mantell's 1915 production (the last production to be staged on Broadway) and Peter Brook's 1945 staging featuring Paul Scofield as the Bastard. Herbert Beerbohm Tree made a silent movie in 1899 featuring excerpts from his stage production, and it has been made for television twice, in 1951 with Donald Wolfit and in 1984 with Leonard Rossiter. ^[2] (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Events 12 February — The San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in Europe, is inaugurated. ... Portrait of David Garrick David Garrick (February 19, 1717 – January 20, 1779) was an English actor, dramatist, theatrical producer and theatrical manager, and a friend and pupil of Samuel Johnson. ... // Events May 11 - War of Austrian Succession: Battle of Fontenoy - At Fontenoy, French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army including the Black Watch June 4 – Frederick the Great destroys Austrian army at Hohenfriedberg August 19 - Beginning of the 45 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan September 12 - Francis I is elected... Charles Kemble (November 25, 1775 - November 12, 1854) was a British actor. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... William Shakespeare—born April 1564; baptised April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616 (O.S.), May 3, 1616 (N.S.)—has a reputation as the greatest of all writers in English. ... William Charles Macready (March 3, 1793 - April 27, 1873), English actor, was born in London, and educated at Rugby. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Charles John Kean (January 18, 1811 - January 22, 1868), was born at Waterford, Ireland, the son of the actor Edmund Kean. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States. ... Peter Stephen Paul Brook CH CBE (born 21 March 1925) is a highly influential British theatrical producer and director. ... Year 1945and died 2007 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE (born 21 January 1922) is a British actor who was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. ... Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (December 17, 1853 - July 2, 1917) was an English actor-manager. ... This article is about the comedy film. ... Year 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Donald Wolfit (1902-1968) was an English actor-manager, knighted in 1957 for his services to the theatre. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Leonard Rossiter (born Liverpool, England, October 21st 1926 - died London, October 5th 1984) was a distinguished British actor, most widely known for his comedy roles in two British television series of the 1970s. ...

Cast

• King John
• Prince Henry, son to the King (the future Henry III)
• Arthur, Duke of Britain, nephew to the King (Arthur I, Duke of Brittany)
• Earl of Pembroke (William Marshal)
• Earl of Essex (Geoffrey Fitz Peter)
• Lord Bigot
• Hubert de Burgh
• Robert Faulconbridge, son of Sir Robert Faulconbridge
• Philip the Bastard, his half-brother (also called Richard)
• James Gurney, servant to Lady Faulconbridge
• Peter of Pomfret, a prophet

• Philip, King of France (Philip II of France)
• Louis, the Dauphin (future Louis VIII of France)
• Lymoges, Duke of Austria (represents Leopold of Austria who captured Richard in his domains, Henry VI of Germany who exacted a ransom for Richard's return, and Viscount Aimar V of Limoges whom Richard was besieging when he was killed.
• Cardinal Pandolph, the legate of Pope Innocent III.
• Melune, a French Lord
• Chatillion, ambassador from France to King John

• Queen Elinor, widow of Henry II, mother to King John (Eleanor of Aquitaine)
• Constance, widow of Geffrey (John's elder brother), mother to Arthur (Constance, Duchess of Brittany).
• Blanch of Spain, daughter to King of Castile, niece to King John (Blanche of Castile)

• Lady Faulconbridge, widow of Sir Robert Faulconbridge

• Lords, heralds, etc.

John deer hunting, from a manuscript in the British Library. ... Henry III (1 October 1207 – 16 November 1272) was crowned King of England in 1216, despite being less than ten years of age. ... Arthur I, Duke of Brittany (1187 – 1203), was the posthumous son of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Constance, Duchess of Brittany, and designated heir to the throne of England, originally intended to succeed Richard I. While Richard was away on crusade, Constance took more independence for Brittany, and in 1194 had the... William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146–1219) was an English aristocrat and statesman. ... Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex, (Piers de Lutegareshale), (b. ... Hubert de Burgh (~1165 - May 12, 1243) was Earl of Kent, Justiciar of England and Ireland, and one of the most influential men in England during the reigns of John and Henry III. De Burgh came from a minor gentry family about which little is known. ... Philip II Augustus (French: Philippe II Auguste) (August 21, 1165 – July 14, 1223), was King of France from 1180 to 1223. ... Louis VIII the Lion (5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226) reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. ... Leopold V (1157 – December 31, 1194), the Virtuous, was a Babenberg duke of Austria from 1177 to 1194 and Styria from 1192 to 1194. ... Henry VI (November 1165 – 28 September 1197) was King of Germany from 1190 to 1197, Holy Roman Emperor from 1191 to 1197 and King of Sicily from 1194 to 1197. ... A papal Legate, from the Decretals of Boniface VIII (1294 to 1303). ... Pope Innocent III (c. ... An ambassador, rarely embassador, is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country. ... Eleanor of Aquitaine Eleanor of Aquitaine (Aliénor dAquitaine in French), Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony and Countess of Poitou (1122[1] –April 1, 1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Europe during the High Middle Ages. ... Geoffrey Plantagenet (September 23, 1158 – August 19, 1186) was Duke of Brittany between 1181 and 1186, through his marriage with the heiress Constance. ... Constance of Brittany (1161 – September 5, 1201) was Duchess of Brittany between 1186 and 1196. ... Alfonso VIII, centre, and Queen Eleanor, left. ... Blanche of Castile (March 4, 1188 – November 26, 1252), wife of Louis VIII of France. ...

Synopsis

The play opens with a plea from the French King Phillip for King John to abdicate in favor of his nephew Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, son of his elder brother Geoffrey. The five acts then depict a dizzying change of alliances, a Papal excommunication and subsequent acceptance, and the play ends finally with King John's slow death after apparent poisoning at the hands of a monk. Coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile at Reims in 1223; a miniature from the Grandes Chroniques de France, painted in the 1450s, kept at the National Library of France See also List of Queens and Empresses of France The monarchs of France ruled, first as kings and later... Philip II (French: Philippe II), called Philip Augustus (French: Philippe Auguste) (August 21, 1165 - July 14, 1223), was King of France from 1180 to 1223. ... Arthur I, Duke of Brittany (1187 – 1203), was the posthumous son of Geoffrey Plantagenet and Constance, Duchess of Brittany, and designated heir to the throne of England, originally intended to succeed Richard I. While Richard was away on crusade, Constance took more independence for Brittany, and in 1194 had the... Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive or suspend membership in a religious community. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... St. ...

Throughout the play, a character known as "The Bastard" delivers a skeptical commentary on nobility, "commodity" (self-interest) and English sovereignty. Nobility is a traditional hereditary status (see hereditary titles) that exists today in many countries (mainly present or former monarchies). ... Self-interest can refer to any of the following concepts: Egoism Selfishness Ethical egoism Psychological egoism Individualism Objectivist ethics Hedonism Epicureanism Enlightened self-interest This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (e. ...

It is sometimes considered odd that Magna Carta is never mentioned in the play, since this is what King John is best remembered for today. However, Magna Carta was considered in Shakespeare's time, "not as a triumph for liberty, but rather as a shameful attempt to weaken the central monarchy."^[3] Also, the focus of the play is on the quarrel over the succession, and Shakespeare would not have thought Magna Carta relevant to his story. Despite this, it was common for Victorian productions of the play to interpolate a spectacular tableau of the signing of Magna Carta into the middle of the play. Magna Carta Magna Carta (Latin for Great Charter, literally Great Paper), also called Magna Carta Libertatum (Great Charter of Freedoms), is an English charter originally issued in 1215. ... Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her Accession to the Throne, June 20, 1837) gave her name to the historic era. ... Tableau vivant, Folies Bergères c. ...

Reputation

In the Victorian era, King John was one of Shakespeare's most frequently staged plays, in part because of the opportunities it offers for spectacle and pageantry that suited the style of the Victorian stage. However, the play has now dropped in popularity to the extent that it is one of Shakespeare's least-known plays and stagings of it are very rare. Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her Accession to the Throne, June 20, 1837) gave her name to the historic era. ...

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

King John

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

The Life and Death of King John

• Complete Text of King John at MIT
• King John - plain vanilla text from Project Gutenberg
• The life and death of King John - HTML version of this title.

	The complete works of William Shakespeare
Tragedies	Antony and Cleopatra | Coriolanus | Hamlet | Julius Caesar | King Lear | Macbeth | Othello | Romeo and Juliet | Timon of Athens | Titus Andronicus | Troilus and Cressida
Comedies	All's Well That Ends Well | As You Like It | The Comedy of Errors | Cymbeline | Love's Labour's Lost | Measure for Measure | The Merchant of Venice | The Merry Wives of Windsor | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Much Ado About Nothing | Pericles, Prince of Tyre | The Taming of the Shrew | The Tempest | Twelfth Night, or What You Will | The Two Gentlemen of Verona | The Two Noble Kinsmen | The Winter's Tale
Histories	King John | Richard II | Henry IV, Part 1 | Henry IV, Part 2 | Henry V | Henry VI, part 1 | Henry VI, part 2 | Henry VI, part 3 | Richard III | Henry VIII
Poems	Sonnets | Venus and Adonis | The Rape of Lucrece | The Passionate Pilgrim | The Phoenix and the Turtle | A Lover's Complaint
Apocrypha and Lost Plays	Edward III | Sir Thomas More | Cardenio (lost) | Love's Labour's Won (lost) | The Birth of Merlin | Locrine | The London Prodigal | The Puritan | The Second Maiden's Tragedy | Richard II, Part I: Thomas of Woodstock | Sir John Oldcastle | Thomas Lord Cromwell | A Yorkshire Tragedy | Fair Em | Mucedorus | The Merry Devil of Edmonton | Arden of Faversham | Edmund Ironside | Vortigern and Rowena
See also	Shakespeare's plays | Shakespeare's life | Shakespeare's religion | Shakespeare's sexuality | Shakespeare on screen | Titles based on Shakespeare | Characters | Problem Plays | Historical characters | Ghost characters | Reputation | New Words | Shakespeare's influence | Shakespearean Authorship Question | Chronology of Shakespeare plays | Oxfordian chronology | BBC Television Shakespeare