星空娱乐官网

ACT ONE

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

Two brothers enter, both claiming the rights to their father鈥檚 inheritance. Robert Faulconbridge argues that he is the heir to his father鈥檚 estate--even though Philip is older, he is illegitimate and therefore not actually their father鈥檚 son. (In fact, Philip is regularly referred to as 鈥渢he Bastard.鈥�) 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