Act Summaries
Act I
The play begins at the English court of King John. Chatillion, an envoy from
King Philip of France, announces that Philip claims the English crown and its
lands for Arthur, King John's nephew. In response, John vows to head to France
immediately to confront Philip in battle. Robert Faulconbridge and Philip the
Bastard enter, each asserting their right to the late Sir Robert
Faulconbridge's estate and wealth. Robert claims that his father was on a
mission abroad while the late King Richard was at the Faulconbridge estate when
Philip was conceived; he mentions that on his deathbed, Sir Robert denied being
Philip's father. Elinor, King John's mother, questions the Bastard about
relinquishing his claim to the Faulconbridge inheritance, to which he readily
consents. John then officially names Philip the Bastard as Richard's son. Left
alone, the Bastard reflects on honor, flattery, and his newfound situation.
Lady Faulconbridge appears, and when the Bastard inquires about his father's
identity, she confesses that it was King Richard, not Sir Robert
Faulconbridge.
Act II
Outside the French city of Angiers, King Philip gathers his nobles and allies.
King John arrives with his followers, and the two kings formally dispute who
holds the legitimate claim to the English throne: John or Arthur. Elinor and
Constance, Arthur's mother, exchange insults, while the Bastard vows to punish
the Duke of Austria. A citizen of Angiers suddenly appears on the city walls
above them. John and Philip both demand entry to the city. The citizen responds
that since Angiers is an English possession, its gates will open only to the
rightful king of England—whoever that may be determined to be. The French and
English forces clash, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. The two
kings and their attendants meet near the city walls, and the Bastard notes that
the citizens of Angiers have treated them both with disdain. He proposes they
unite their forces to attack the city and destroy it. The citizen suggests an
alternative: that John's niece Blanch marry Philip's son Lewis. John promises
to cede all his French territories and a large sum of money if the marriage
occurs. Lewis and Philip agree to this arrangement. Blanch consents to do
whatever is required of her. Left alone after the others depart, the Bastard
expresses his amazement at the turn of events, marveling at how self-interest
has led the French to abandon a just and honorable path.
Act III
At the French camp near Angiers, Constance is furious upon learning about the alliance between France and England. When John and Philip arrive with their followers, she angrily accuses Philip of breaking his word. Cardinal Pandulph soon arrives, questioning John about his refusal to accept the pope's choice for a new Archbishop of Canterbury. John asserts that it is the king who governs England, not the pope. In response, Pandulph declares John a heretic, excommunicating him from the church. He states that anyone who rebels against John's rule will be blessed, and anyone who kills him will be performing a noble act. The cardinal then commands Philip to abandon his new alliance with John or face excommunication himself. Philip hesitates, but after Pandulph presents a compelling argument emphasizing Philip's duty as a defender of the church, the French king withdraws from the alliance. Hostilities resume between England and France, leading to Arthur's capture. Amidst the fighting, John approaches Hubert, a loyal follower he has appointed to watch over Arthur. Gradually, John reveals his desire for Hubert to kill the boy, and Hubert agrees. With England clearly gaining the upper hand, Pandulph, Lewis, and Philip...
(This entire section contains 1272 words.)
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gather. They are confronted by Constance, who is devastated by her son's capture. After she leaves, Philip follows her. The cardinal then suggests to Lewis that since Arthur poses a threat to John's claim to the throne, John will likely have him killed, clearing a path for Lewis to claim the English throne through his marriage to Blanch. Lewis consents to Pandulph's plan to invade England.
Act IV
In an English prison, Hubert presents Arthur with a document ordering that the
young prince be blinded. Arthur begs Hubert not to follow through with the
order, and eventually, Hubert gives in to his pleas. The scene then shifts to
King John's palace, where he has just been crowned for the second time. The
gathered nobles ask for Arthur's release, and the king agrees. Hubert arrives
and whispers something to John. The king then informs the nobles that Arthur
has died that night. Pembroke and Salisbury suspect foul play. After they
leave, a messenger comes in to announce that French forces have landed in
England. The Bastard enters with a man who has prophesied that on the next
Ascension Day, John will surrender his crown. John sends the man to prison and
instructs the Bastard to bring back the nobles. He tells Hubert he never
intended for Arthur to be killed. When Hubert shows him the signed warrant,
John blames Hubert for following his orders. Hubert then reveals that Arthur is
still alive. The scene shifts to the prison walls, where Arthur plans to escape
by jumping down and running away. He falls onto the stones below and dies.
Pembroke, Salisbury, and Bigot appear nearby and are soon joined by the
Bastard, who tries to persuade them to return to the palace. They find Arthur's
body, and the nobles assert that he must have been murdered. When Hubert
arrives, the nobles accuse him of killing Arthur, but he denies it. After they
leave, the Bastard demands to know if Hubert is guilty. He denies it again, and
the Bastard instructs him to take away Arthur's body.
Act V
In a chamber at the English palace, John relinquishes his crown to Pandulph,
who then places it back on John's head, proclaiming that John's power as king
is granted by the pope. John, in response, urges the cardinal to honor their
agreement and stop the French invasion. When Pandulph mentions that it is
Ascension Day, John realizes the prophecy has been fulfilled. The Bastard
enters, informing John that several English cities have welcomed the French
forces, many nobles have defected to Lewis, and Arthur has died. Despite this,
he encourages John to remain resolute. John appoints him to lead the English
troops against the invaders. In the French camp, Lewis and Count Melune confer
with the English nobles who have joined their cause. Pandulph arrives,
instructing Lewis to cease hostilities. The Bastard appears and, learning of
Lewis's intention to continue fighting, delivers an inspiring speech portraying
King John as determined to continue the war and defeat the French. However, on
the battlefield, John complains of a fever. When a messenger arrives from the
Bastard advising him to withdraw, he agrees. The messenger also reports that
ships meant to supply the French troops have run aground. Elsewhere on the
battlefield, the mortally wounded Melune informs Salisbury, Pembroke, and Bigot
that they have been betrayed: Lewis has vowed to execute them that night.
Salisbury suggests returning to King John to seek his pardon. Later, in an
orchard at Swinstead Abbey, Prince Henry, Salisbury, and Bigot await news of
John, who has been poisoned by a monk. The king is brought into the orchard,
gravely ill and feverish. The Bastard arrives with Hubert, bearing grim news
about the war. As they speak, the king dies. Salisbury offers a different
report: Pandulph has arrived from Lewis, seeking peace and seemingly willing to
accept any terms set by the English. Everyone kneels in allegiance to Henry,
John's heir, and the Bastard concludes the play with an impassioned appeal to
patriotism.
