King John

ACT ONE

A French ambassador named Chatillon arrives at the English court, greeted by King John and his mother Queen Elinor. The ambassador’s message is simple: The French king demands the English throne for Prince Arthur, the orphaned son of John’s older brother Geoffrey (who died several years before). The claim is rejected; Elinor suspects that Arthur’s mother Constance is involved in this power play.

Two brothers enter, both claiming the rights to their father’s inheritance. Robert Faulconbridge argues that he is the heir to his father’s estate--even though Philip is older, he is illegitimate and therefore not actually their father’s son. (In fact, Philip is regularly referred to as “the Bastard.”) Elinor sees a resemblance between Philip and her son Richard Coeur-de-Lion--famously King Richard the Lionheart. John invites the young man to join his army, and Philip agrees to abandon his claim to the inheritance. Lady Faulconbridge enters, ready to defend her honor against