The Facts on File Companion to British Poetry Before 1600

(coco) #1

Martin, J. W. Religious Radicals in Tudor England. London
and Ronceverte: The Hambledon Press, 1989.
A. Wade Razzi


“CROWNED KING, THE” ANONYMOUS (1415)
A poem in the alliterative PIERS PLOWMAN TRADITION,
“The Crowned King” is often viewed as political propa-
ganda. Such a designation, however, fails to recognize
the subtle political theory that underlies the poem—
one that places it in line with the practical political
theory of the prologue of PIERS PLOWMAN. Knights,
clergy, and the peasantry have obligations to their
king—an image of the divine “Crowned King,” refer-
enced in the poem as Christ—although the poem is
more focused on the obligations of the earthly and yet
unnamed king, Henry V. It is set on the eve of Corpus
Christi (May 29, 1415) and uses the form of a DREAM
VISION, in which the poet overhears a kneeling cleric
giving words that hover between advice and warning
to the king.
The fi rst 42 lines of the poem set up the historical
frame, the dream vision, and the attitude of the poet
toward his subject. The opening features the poet on a
high hill and looking down on a “dale deppest of othre”
(l. 32) containing a great and diverse multitude of peo-
ple. Though this seems to echo the opening imagery of
Piers Plowman, the location is used only to situate his
dream, rather than to place theological implications on
the landscape. In the midst of this scene, the poet/
dreamer believes he hears the king requesting “A soleyn
subsidie” (“solemn subsidy,” l. 36) in order to fund his
wars in France. Those who are able to pay are sup-
posed to bear the taxation burden for the poor, at least
in theory. The poet engages in the king’s shortsighted
and potentially exploitative vision, rather than sound-
ing a rallying cry of patriotism.
The remainder of the poem, lines 43–144, provides
counsel to the king that initially seems motivated by
the request for the “soleyn subsidie” (l. 36) but becomes
more far ranging in thought. Described as the “sawes
[wisdom] of Salomon” (l. 44), the advice assumes the
position of an authoritative discourse on the medieval
community. In the position of justice, the king is to
“justifi e the trouthe” (l. 53) and to rule with reason,
again echoing imagery from Piers Plowman about the


king, who requires the aid of Conscience and Reason
to govern correctly. As the chief minister of justice, the
king should be particularly fair to the labor force since
he enjoys the riches from their work.
“The Crowned King” is not, however, a poem of
social protest. The king is not condemned for his lux-
ury, but rather is counseled to remember its source.
Working with his nobles in Parliament is seen as an act
of strength as it brings together community support
and empowerment. Further, the king is exhorted to “Be
kende to thi clergi and comfort the pouere: / Cherissh
thy champyons and chief men of armes” (ll. 93–94).
Love is the uniting force of this community, yet the
speaking cleric knows that the rule of arms is impor-
tant; thus, the best wielder of arms should be appointed
to the position of “marchall” (l. 102). Strong knights
along with a wise counselor/philosopher are also impor-
tant to good, stable rule. A wise king should avoid being
covetous and should instead reward his people. The
poet is keenly aware of the vulnerable but important
position of the poor in the social order. The cleric rec-
ommends the king follow the example of Christ, the
“crowned kyng” (l. 141), who always acted out of care
and compassion, even in suffering. The poem then con-
cludes with a wish for Christ’s kingdom, where there is
“Prosperite and pees” (l. 144), perhaps in contrast to
the contemporary situation of war with France.
Contextualized within the Corpus Christi tradition,
“The Crowned King” at fi rst appearance seems to be an
almost doctrinaire statement of the king’s two bod-
ies—just as Corpus Christi celebrates Jesus’ two bod-
ies—divine and incarnated. More subtly, the poem
takes the form of wise counsel to suggest to the king
the simultaneously strong position he can hold and the
dependent position he also occupies. Bound together
by love, a typically Langlandian notion, the medieval
community will thrive if the king listens to his people.
Such a poem seems almost ironically addressed to
Henry V, a popular and compassionate ruler. It may
also be seen as a keen observation on the impact of the
HUNDRED YEARS WAR.
See also ALLITERATIVE REVIVAL.
FURTHER READING
Barr, Helen. Signes and Sothe: Language in the Piers Plowman
Tradition. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1994.

132 “CROWNED KING, THE”

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