Embedded Files
For your reference
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EXCELLENT SYNOPSIS FROM WIKI
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Before we begin, let us play the role of judge!.
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The law and custom of succession was that the King's eldest son will inherit the throne , after the father passes away.
Does the King have the right to choose his next brother or brother's son as the next king ? overlooking the surviving brother next in line? No.
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The law in those times, was that ancestral property should go to the eldest son and acquired property can be bestowed on whoever the King wills.
King Henry II 's ancestral property was England and Normandy only.
His acquired property by war, marriage , intrigue and diplomacy was the remaining provinces in Western France.
Even there the province of Aquitaine
was of Queen Elinor wife of Henry II.
==============================
Queen Mother Elinor of Auitaine
Amazing person!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine
As the duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor was the most eligible bride in Europe. Three months after becoming duchess upon the death of her father, William X, she married King Louis VII of France, son of her guardian, King Louis VI. As queen of France, she participated in the unsuccessful Second Crusade.
( Catherine Hepburn as Queen Elinor in the film 'Lion in Winter')
Elinor was born in 1122.
She was duchess of Aquitaine, one of the richest provinces in France.-
She was married to the prince ( son of King Louis V of France) in 1137.
Immediately after her marriage King Louis V died and so she became the queen of France in 1137.
She was then just 15 years old!
She was very well educated and was a warrior too. When King of France , fought in the Second Crusades war, she too led a group of women warriors to the Holy Land. She had two daughters through Louis VI. She did not have a male child and the King wanted an annulment of marriage. and it was granted by the Pope, after 15 years.
That was in 1152. She was 30 years old then.
King Henry II ( King John's father), married her in 1152. Henry was 11 years younger to Elinor. !----- Henry was at that time, Duke of Normandy.
and became king of England in 1154.
-------- Through Henry II, Elinor had eight children, 5 sons and 3 daughters.
The five sons were William (died young) Henry( 'young king'), , Richard the Lion Heart, Geoffrey and finally John.
Henry did not give real power to any of the sons and they on and off revolted against him and Elinor supported the sons.------- Henry II, imprisoned her for this reason in 1173.
( she was 51 then).
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She was released only after Henry II died and Richard became the king of England. ( in 1189)
She was then 67 then ( She spent 16 years in jail)
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Richard left for the Third Crusade and during his absence, John and Queen mother Elinor took care of administration.--------- King Richard died in 1199 and John became the king of England. It was in that year, Shakespeare play on King John begins.
Elinor was 77 then.
----------------------------
Philip was king of France then and his son Louis was a boy of 12 then.
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Elinor traveled to Spain to bring Blanche, her grand daughter, through her daughter ; Elinor of Castille in Spain. The king of Spain Alphonso VIII was the son-in-law of Henry II and Elinor .
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This is the background of the Dauphin marrying Blanch at the castle of Angiers. in the play that we are reading now.
King Richard ( the Lion Heart) had willed that after his demise, the kingdom should be ruled by his next brother Geoffrey's son ( as Geoffrey had was no more).
Now, if the next brother is no more, does not the next young brother inherit the kingdom?
I think , he does.
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John (1166 – 1216) was the last son of Henry II. He was born in 1166.
King Richard died by an infected wound caused by an arrow in a battle in 1199.( we will meet the character who caused it in the Act-II ) and according to the view mentioned above, he became the King of England. and ruled upto 1216 for 17 years.
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Arthur , only son of Geoffrey was born in
1187 – died 1203). He was designated as the next king by Richard I himself in 1190 . Arthur was just three years old then!
When Richard the Lion Heart died by an accident in 1199, the boy Arthur was eleven years old. whereas John, the youngest brother of Richard, was 33.
What is more, when Richard was away fighting the Third Crusade war , almost immediately after becoming King of England, it was John , who administered the kingdom on Richard's behalf along with his mother Eleanor.
Queen Eleanor (Elinor) loved all her sons equally.
King Henry II himself had sent John to Ireland as his representative in .1177
All the elder brothers of John had rebelled against Henry -iI but John had remained in England with his father and helped him. and for that reason, John was a favorite son of Henry I.
Henry II had appointed John as the Lord of Ireland in 1177 and given lands in England and on the continent. John was eleven years then!
John was 33 when he became king.
What would have happened if Arthur had become the king?
John ,experienced in administration( from 1177 itself, even under King Henry II, would have been relegated and Arthur with no experience just a boy 13 years old, and promoted by King of France for his own designs. would have been manipulated by France.
Constance, was wife of Geoffrey and mother of the boy Arthur,
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With all this background information, let us begin with Shakespeare's handling of this history.
The play begins with the arrival of Ambassador of France ( Chatillon).
The French King demands that King John surrender all the lands in his reign to the 'real' heir Arthur ( a boy) immediately.
King John is amused! His mother also is with him.
John asks the envoy from France what if he refuses. and the envoy speaking for the King of France says, curtly, "WAR!".
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Bard's own words now....
King John. Now, say, Chatillon, what would France with us?
Chatillon. Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France
In my behavior to the majesty,
The borrow'd majesty, of England here.
Queen Elinor. A strange beginning: 'borrow'd majesty!'
King John. Silence, good mother; hear the embassy.
Chatillon. Philip 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 John. What follows if we disallow of this?
Chatillon. The proud control of fierce and bloody war,
To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld.
King John. Here have we war for war and blood for blood,
Controlment for controlment: so answer France.
Chatillon. Then take my king's defiance from my mouth,
The farthest limit of my embassy.
King John. Bear 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.
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After the envoy left, Queen Mother feels that John must have been more conciliatory. She herself feels that the claim of John over that of Geoffrey's son is a bit untenable.
Queen Elinor. What 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 John. Our strong possession and our right for us.
Queen Elinor. Your 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.
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Here is a nice video clip of Act-I
WITH ACTUAL LINES OF THE PLAY.
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In the same Act, there is a scene, apparently , humorous but Shakespeare uses it to speak out some startling perceptions! about 'legitimate and illegitimate' children.
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King Richard seems to have had illicit liaison with the wife of one of his followers and a son is born to her. She has another son from her real husband. Lord Falconbridge.
At his deathbed, Falconbridege
confides to the younger son that his elder son is not legitimate and not his own son and so he leaves his property to the true son.
So, the younger son demands right to the full property which as the eldest son his elder brother Philip is enjoying. He calls Philip a bastard,and so not entitled to the property.
There is a property dispute and the two 'brothers' present their case to King John. Richard's illicit son bears a very striking resemblance to The LionHeart, as perceived by Queen mother herself. By the rules of justice, the property legally belongs to the elder youth. So decides John! (
Anyway, the Queen Mother is impressed by the son of Richard. ( though illegitimate, he has a claim to the throne of England! if only the Law permitted!). She offers him a Knighthood. and asks which he chooses...the great honour of being the son of Richard the Lion Heart OR just a peasant with a small property.
Son of Richard ( illegitimate) replies that he prefers to be a warrior . and Queen Mother asks him to join her immediately in the military expedition to France. Like his father, he is a great warrior and intrepid.
Hereafter we will refer to him as Falcon
---------------------- When presenting his case, Falconbridge says that only a mother can really know who the father of her child was!.. ( implying thereby that chastity was not all that common virtue among the nobility and commoners!).
Queen Mother is offended by such bold speech! But King John agrees and whatever be the case, the elder brother has the right to property. An illegitimate son will be disowned by the 'father' as well as 'mother'! At that time, the boys' mother barges in . and in response to persistent query , she admits that Philip Falconbridge was sired by King Richard.
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Here are some lines from the original play.
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Philip ( illegitimate 'son' of Falconbridge)
I put you o'er to heaven and to my mother: Of that I doubt, as all men's children may.
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Queen Elinor. Out on thee, rude man! thou dost shame thy mother And wound her honour with this diffidence.
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Queen Elinor. He hath a trick of Coeur-de-lion's face; The accent of his tongue affecteth him. Do you not read some tokens of my son In the large composition of this man?
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King John. Mine eye hath well examined his parts And finds them perfect Richard.
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King John. Sirrah, your brother is legitimate;
Your father's wife did after wedlock bear him,
And if she did play false, the fault was hers;
Which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands
That marry wives.
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Queen Elinor. Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge
And like thy brother, to enjoy thy land,
Or the reputed son of Coeur-de-lion,
Lord of thy presence and no land beside?
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Queen Elinor. I like thee well: wilt thou forsake thy fortune, Bequeath thy land to him and follow me? I am a soldier and now bound to France.
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Philip
Madam, I'll follow you unto the death
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Queen Elinor. Nay, I would have you go before me thither.
----
King John. What is thy name?
Philip ". Philip, my liege, so is my name begun, Philip, good old sir Robert's wife's eldest son.
King John. From henceforth bear his name whose form thou bear'st:
Kneel thou down Philip, but rise more great,
Arise sir Richard and Plantagenet.
Philip Brother by the mother's side, give me your hand:
My father gave me honour, yours gave land.
Now blessed by the hour, by night or day,
When I was got, sir Robert was away!
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Queen Elinor. The very spirit of Plantagenet!
I am thy grandam, Richard; call me so.
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[Enter LADY FAULCONBRIDGE and GURNEY]
Philip
O me! it is my mother. How now, good lady!
What brings you here to court so hastily?
Lady Faulconbridge. Where is that slave, thy brother? where is he,
That holds in chase mine honour up and down?
Philip My brother Robert? old sir Robert's son?
Colbrand the giant, that same mighty man?
Is it sir Robert's son that you seek so?
Lady Faulconbridge. Sir Robert's son! Ay, thou unreverend boy,
Sir Robert's son: why scorn'st thou at sir Robert?
He is sir Robert's son, and so art thou.
Philip . James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave awhile?
James Gurney. Good leave, good Philip.
Philip . Philip! sparrow: James,
There's toys abroad: anon I'll tell thee more.
[Exit GURNEY]
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Philip . Knight, knight, good mother, Basilisco-like.
What! I am dubb'd! I have it on my shoulder.
But, mother, I am not sir Robert's son;
I have disclaim'd sir Robert and my land;
Legitimation, name and all is gone:
Then, good my mother, let me know my father;
Some proper man, I hope: who was it, mother?
--------------------------------------------
Lady Faulconbridge. King Richard Coeur-de-lion was thy father:
By long and vehement suit I was seduced
To make room for him in my husband's bed:
Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge!
Thou art the issue of my dear offence,
Which was so strongly urged past my defence.
----------------------------------------
Philip . Now, by this light, were I to get again, Madam, I would not wish a better father.
Some sins do bear their privilege on earth, And so doth yours; your fault was not your folly:
Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose,
Subjected tribute to commanding love,
Against whose fury and unmatched force
The aweless lion could not wage the fight,
Nor keep his princely heart from Richard's hand.
He that perforce robs lions of their hearts
May easily win a woman's. Ay, my mother,
With all my heart I thank thee for my father!
Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well
When I was got, I'll send his soul to hell.
Come, lady, I will show thee to my kin;
And they shall say, when Richard me begot,
If thou hadst said him nay, it had been sin:
Who says it was, he lies; I say 'twas not.
=============================
We are now in the presence of of Philip, King of France. His son is Louis. (Dolphin- means Prince ). The king of France is at that moment, laying a siege on the Fort of Angiers. With him, in that military camp outside the gates of the fort, are Constance and her son Arthur, a mere boy.
The party is joined by the Duke of Austria named Limoges. It was Limoges who plotted and caused the death of Richard -Lion Heart.
He roams about the land wearing a Lions skin over his shoulder to brag that he killed Richard in direct combat.
Queen Mother Elinor and her daughter-in-law Constance, accuse each other of marital-infidelity (though Constance says it nicely, 'that she was as faithful to her husband, as Elinor was to her husnband'.
The boy Arthur is pained and sheds tears by all that unworthy exchanges. Duke of Austria Lymoges then intervenes and cries 'peace'.
Lymoges. Peace!
Falcon: Hear the crier.
Lymoges. What the devil art thou?
Falcon: One that will play the devil, sir, with you,
An a' may catch your hide and you alone:
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes,
Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard;
I'll smoke your skin-coat, an I catch you right;
Sirrah, look to't; i' faith, I will, i' faith.
Blanch. O, well did he become that lion's robe
That did disrobe the lion of that robe!
Falcon . It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides' shows upon an ass:
But, ass, I'll take that burthen from your back,
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack.
Lymoges. What craker is this same that deafs our ears
With this abundance of superfluous breath?
He sides with the King of France for his own ends. Both Philip and Limoges feel that if the young boy, Arthur was made King of England, , they will gain much. But, though this is Philips secret desire, he pretends that he is helping the family of Richard by championing the cause of Arthur. and upholding Justice
---------------------------------
Just then the envoy returns from England and conveys the news that King John has summarily rejected the demand and has landed in Norman lands with a very large army .
King John and his army arrive right then at Angiers, ( which incidentally is under his rule! ).
Normally, the gates of the fort should have been opened to King John but as the King of France aided by Duke of Austria is also claiming the fort on behalf of Arthur, the people of Angiers fort are confused and feel safe not to open the gate ether to King John or to King of France.
They send message that the two kings should settle the issue first by battle and then they will open the gates to the victor.
Falconbridge (do you remember him? He is the illegitimate son of Lady Falconbridge through King Richard! and has been knighted and adopted by the Queen mother as her grandson! ) is itching for a fight. and suggests that both the English and French forces can join hands and attack the fort to teach the fellows hiding behind the ramparts of the fort and after defeating them , settle the issue by a fight between English and French forces.
This alarms the inmates of the fort and they send a message of a conciliatory suggestion.
Blanche of Spain a fine looking niece of King John has accompanied the Queen Mother
King Henry II and Queen Elinor had 5 sons and 3 daughters. One of the daughters was also named Elinor! She was married to the King of Spain, named Alphonso VIII.
Blanche was daughter of King of Spain and Elinor's daughter. So, Blanch was grand-daughter of the Queen Mother Elinor and sister's daughter of King John.
The year of incidents of the play do not agree with historical chronology. For, it is supposed to happen in 1200 AD . Soon after the scenes, Queen Mother passed away in her native soil. According to the play, King John also died due to poisoning by a monk. But actually, King John ruled from 1199 to 1216 for 17 years. Queen Mother Elinor passed away in 1200 AD at a ripe age of
. The message suggests that the Dauphin of France and Blanche can be united by marriage and peace restored.
This is what the citizens say of Blanche
That daughter there of Spain, the Lady Blanch,Is near to England;
look upon the years
Of Lewis the Dauphin, and that lovely maid.
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty,Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch?
If zealous love should go in search of virtueWhere should he find it purer than in Blanch?
If love ambitious sought a match of birth,Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch?
Such as she is, in beauty, virtue, birth,Is the young Dauphin every way complete:If not complete of, say he is not she;
And she again wants nothing, to name want,If want it be not, that she is not he.
He is the half part of a blessed man,Left to be finished by such as she;
And she a fair divided excellence, Whose fulness of perfection lies in him.
O, two such silver currents, when they join,Do glorify the banks that bound them in;
And two such shores to two such streams made one,Two such controlling bounds, shall you be, kings,
The Dauphin of course is enslaved by the beauty of Blanche and the girl though not much attracted by the Dauphin, says that she will abide by whatever King john decides.
She diplomatically replies when asked if she accepts the Dauphin, ' I do not see anything negative in him!'.
King John offers the disputed provinces claimed for Arthur as dowry to his niece Blanche. ( and so indirectly to the French) and so the French King AGREES.
King of France also does not want to fight.as he has got the coveted lands for himself at the expense of Arthur, whom he is supposed to support!
War is thus averted for the time being.
The gates of the fort are opened and a wedding ceremony is conducted in a church inside that fort with lot of gaiety and merriment.
( It is ironic that the French King who just a while ago waxed eloquent on the boy Arthur's rights of that area,and his duty to get justice for the boy, has become so friendly when he got the same areas for his son as dowry!).
'Falcon' is sorely disappointed. Not merely because there is no battle to prove his mettle ,but his misfotune to be poor for he had equal right to the neice of Blanch!
Here is a monologue in that occasion where he derides the behavior of the French King!
Mad world! mad kings! mad composition!
John, to stop Arthur's title in the whole,
Hath willingly departed with a part,
And France, whose armour conscience buckled on,
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As God's own soldier, rounded in the ear
With that same purpose-changer, that sly devil,
That broker, that still breaks the pate of faith,
That daily break-vow, he that wins of all,
Of kings, of beggars, old men, young men, maids,
Who, having no external thing to lose
But the word 'maid,' cheats the poor maid of that,
That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling Commodity,
Commodity, the bias of the world,
The world, who of itself is poised well,
Made to run even upon even ground,
Till this advantage, this vile-drawing bias,
This sway of motion, this Commodity,
Makes it take head from all indifferency,
From all direction, purpose, course, intent:
And this same bias, this Commodity,
This bawd, this broker, this all-changing word,
Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France,
Hath drawn him from his own determined aid,
From a resolved and honourable war,
To a most base and vile-concluded peace.
And why rail I on this Commodity?
But for because he hath not woo'd me yet:
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand,
When his fair angels would salute my palm;
But for my hand, as unattempted yet,
Like a poor beggar, raileth on the rich.
Well, whiles I am a beggar, I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich;
And being rich, my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary.
Since kings break faith upon commodity,
Gain, be my lord, for I will worship thee.!
Poor Constance and her boy Arthur are forgotten . and the King of France hopes to pacify Constance somehow.
King JOHN promises to offer a dignified status to the boy Arthur and assures that he will be a very affectionate and protective uncle to his elder brother's son, though without right to the Kingdom.
The boy is then entrusted to King John and Queen Mother. Elinor by the King of France
Constance is in inconsolable grief. She is certain that her young son will be killed and berates everybody.
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But just then a priest comes from Pope. saying that King John is not giving much respect to the wishes of Pope in appointments to the Churches and so King John will be ex-communicated by Pope, unless John expresses regret and do the Pope's bidding.
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King John is furious. and roundly uses foul language about the Pope.
King John. What earthy name to interrogatories
Can task the free breath of a sacred king?
Thou canst not, cardinal, devise a name
So slight, unworthy and ridiculous,
To charge me to an answer, as the pope.
Tell him this tale; and from the mouth of England
Add thus much more, that no Italian priest
Shall tithe or toll in our dominions;
But as we, under heaven, are supreme head,
So under Him that great supremacy,
Where we do reign, we will alone uphold,
Without the assistance of a mortal hand:
So tell the pope, all reverence set apart
To him and his usurp'd authority.
King Phillip. Brother of England, you blaspheme in this.
King John. Though you and all the kings of Christendom
Are led so grossly by this meddling priest,
Dreading the curse that money may buy out;
And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust,
Purchase corrupted pardon of a man,
Who in that sale sells pardon from himself,
Though you and all the rest so grossly led
This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish,
Yet I alone, alone do me oppose
Against the pope and count his friends my foes.
Cardinal Pandulph. Then, by the lawful power that I have,
Thou shalt stand cursed and excommunicate.
-----------------------------------
The priest then ex-communicates King John and threatens that if the King of France sides with John, now , as his relative, he too will be excommunicated.
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During those times, the Pope was all powerful and all the kings had to abide by his guidance even in matters of marriage alliances. Otherwise, the marriage would become null and void.!
King of France is afraid of challenging the Pope and so gives in.
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So, there is no other option except battle. 'Falcon' is happy .He loves nothing more than war. He kills the Duke of Austria in fair fight ( remember.. Falcon is the son of Richard LionHeart!) , avenging the murder of his father. and happily brings his head as proof. King John wins that battle.
--------
JOHN then sends Knight Falcon to England to raise funds from the churchmen there and mobilize the lords and men to prepare for defense of England.
Hubert is John's trusted follower and John gives a hint to him that so long as Arthur is there , he cannot have peace of mind. Later he sends a message to Hubert to blind the boy.
--
The Dauphin is dejected by the loss in that battle. He has lost his fame, wife and everything.
But Cardinal the representative of the Pope encourages him and says Everything has a positive outcome too. He is certain that King John will murder the boy Arthur.
When that happens, all the Lords and common people and the Churchmen there will rise against the Tyrant John and defeat him. That gives a chance to the Dauphin to claim the throne of England as he is the husband of Blanche.
Thus tempted , the Dauphin embarks on war to England.
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In England,, Hubert makes preparation for blinding the boy Arthur, who was a pet to him.
Arthur too loves him and trusts him. When Arthur is told by Hubert , the task assigned to him, much against his wishes, Arthur entreats him. by wonderful lines which make Hubert incapable of committing the crime. By thus disobeying John's directive, he runs the risk of death sentence. Still, he could NOT harm the boy whom he loves and who loves him so much. So, he tells the boy Arthur, that he will lie to the King that the boy has been killed. and enjoins the boy, to hide himself in a sailor's garb. and extremely careful that noone will know about him.
-----------------
King John has a second coronation ceremony. The Nobles are having suspicion that Arthur might have been killed. One of the leading nobles, asks for the presence of Arthur on the happy occasion. King John returns after sometime and informs the lords that unfortunately the boy Arthur is dead. This confirms the suspicion of the three lords . and they go in search of Arthur. They make no secret of their disgust by their looks.
King John puts the blame on Hubert for having killed the boy. Hubert protests saying that he just obeyed King John. John then says, a really good courtier should not blindly obey. As his life was in danger, Hubert tells the King that the boy is alive. King John is very happy to hear that and sends Hubert to tell that to the lords and pacify them.
------------------------
In the meantime, the boy Arthur had risked his life by jumping from the high wall to a rocky ground , for freedom from captivity and lost his life.
It is the dead boy's body that is found by the lords and they are grieved, revolted and dejected by the obvious crime. When Hubert reaches the spot and tells them that the boy is alive, even when the boy is lyying dead at his feet ( Hubert was yet to observe that), He is equally saddened and puzzled how it happened. One of the lords becomes furious and draws his sword.against Hubert suspecting him to be the culprit. Hubert also is a swordsman and as his conscience is clear, he warns the lord equally sternly.
Falcon then arrives there and the lords tell him that they can no longer serve John after this monstrous cruelty and crime and hasten to join the forces of the Dauphin who has landed in England.
Falcon is totally at a loss whether to believe Hubert or not,
The townspeople, nobles and churchment all have deserted King John ,
King John , deserted by his trusted nobles is shattered. To increase his woes, the sad news of the demise of his mother Queen Elinor reaches him. Elinor was no ordinary mother. She had steadfastly stood by her sons even during the realm of her husband King Henry II. She was a soldier herself and very well versed in the art of public affairs.
King John is dejected and feels that it is futile to fight the war which will end his rule. He decides to save himself and the kingdom by reconciliation with the Pope through the Cardinal of Milan.
John then sends for Cardinal and submit his crown to him as a sign of obedience to Pope. The cardinal is happy and he returns the crown to King John and promises to advise the Dauphin to stop the war and go back to his France.
Without knowing about the pact between the Cardinal and John, Knight Falcon meets John. The King tells him that the Cardinal will convince the Dauphin and there wont be any war. But Falcon rightly predicts that the Dauphin will reject the Cardinal's advice to stop the war and so requests permission from King to fight to the last, in honour of England. John agrees with his assessment and asks him to proceed.
But Dauphin is not prepared to listen to the Cardinal of Milan especially since the English Lords have joined him and he was winning some battles. and is expecting more soldiers and resources from his father King of France.
He does not yet know that the ship which was supposed to bring men , weapons and other resources, was wrecked by a storm
During the night, in darkness, Hubert and Falcon meet. They do not recognize each other in the darkness. Hubert tells the bad news that John is losing the war.
John develops a high fever just then in the battle field and is advised by Falcon to rest in a nearby chapel.
One of the top leaders and follower of the French Dauphin, dies in the battle. Just before dying, he tells that the Dauphin has a plan to kill the three lords after winning the war. and advises them to escape at the earliest. He says that he too was born in England and loves the Land.
Thus warned, the three lords return back to John. But, John has been poisoned by one of the monks in the chapel and is about to die. His young son, ( later to succeed John as King of England as Henry III ) is with him.
During the same night, news reaches the Dauphin about the shipwreck and pretending that he is just obeying the Cardinal, he returns back to France.
The Lords know and are happy.
But Falcon did not know about it and is informed of the good news by the lords and king john.
--------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, King John unable to bear the terrible pain of poison, dies. All the Lords and the Knight Falcon swear allegiance to the young Henry III on the spot and arrange for his coronation.
Falcon , the real hero of the play , then speaks the famous lines, the best in that play.
" This England never did, nor never shall,
Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror,
But when it first did help to wound itself.
Now these her princes are come home again,
Come the three corners of the world in arms,
And we shall shock them. Nought shall make us rue,
If England to herself do rest but true"
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