King John

One of Shakespeare’s less familiar histories dramatizes the troubled reign of a medieval English king whose grip on the crown is never secure. John’s right to rule is challenged by his young nephew Arthur, backed by France and the papacy, and the king is drawn into war, excommunication, and a quiet plot against the boy’s life. The play’s most memorable voice belongs to Philip Faulconbridge, the sharp-tongued illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart, who cuts through the hypocrisy of kings and cardinals alike. Legitimacy, loyalty, and naked self-interest drive the action from start to finish. This free PDF and EPUB edition offers the complete text of the play.