The Shakespeare Book

64

A

t the English court, King

Edward III is discussing

his claim to the French

crown with the Comte d’Artois,

who has joined the English side.

When the Duc de Lorraine arrives

from France to insist Edward swear

allegiance to the French King John,

Edward declares war. Meanwhile,

the King of Scotland besieges the

Countess of Salisbury in Roxburgh

Castle. King Edward sends his

son Prince Edward to France, and

heads to Roxburgh himself. Enticed

by the Countess’s beauty, King

Edward decides to stay. 

EDWARD III

As the king grows infatuated with

the Countess, he asks his secretary

Lodowick to write love letters to

her. The king pressures her to yield

to his desires, even though they are

both married. She refuses, so he

compels her father Warwick to

intervene. Unable to deny the king,

Warwick urges his daughter to

comply. There is a distraction as

young Prince Edward announces

his readiness to lead the army for

France, but the king soon resumes

his amatory pursuit. The Countess

reminds him that they are both

married so the king promises to

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

Edward III King of England.

Queen Philippa Wife of

Edward III.

Edward, the Black Prince

Son of Edward III and Queen

Philippa.

Earl of Salisbury

Countess of Salisbury

Salisbury’s wife.

Earl of Warwick

The Countess’s father.

Sir William de Montague

Salisbury’s nephew.

Earl of Derby

Sir James Audley

Henry, Lord Percy

John Copland Esquire,

later Sir John Copland.

Lodowick King Edward’s

secretary.

Robert, Comte d’Artois

Jean, Comte de Montfort,

later Duc de Bretagne

Gobin de Grâce

A French prisoner.

John II de Valois King of

France (a conflation of the

historic Philip VI with John II).

Prince Charles King John’s

eldest son, the Dauphin.

Duc de Lorraine

Prince Philippe King John’s

youngest son.

Villiers Norman lord sent

as an envoy by Salisbury

to the Dauphin.

4

5

1

2

6

As the English

navy approaches,

the French King

John boasts of

his strength.

Edward III rebuffs French

demands for allegiance and

announces his intention

to claim France as his own.

After relieving the

Scottish siege of Roxburgh

Castle, King Edward

tries in vain to seduce

the Countess of

Salisbury, who is also

desired by the King

of Scotland.

King Edward and King

John face off before the

Battle of Crécy.

In a terrible sea battle at

Sluys, the French navy

is routed.

Scenes 1–4 Scenes 5–6