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  • Title: The Troublesome Reign of King John ((Quarto, 1581))
  • Editor: Karen Oberer

    • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: Anonymous
    Editor: Karen Oberer
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Troublesome Reign of King John ((Quarto, 1581))

    The troublesome Raigne

    To offer wrong, as he accounteth wrong.
    My Father (not vnknowen vnto your Grace)
    100Receiud his spurres of Knighthood in the Field,
    At Kingly Richards hands in Palestine,
    When as the walls of Acon gaue him way:
    His name Sir Robert Fauconbridge of Mountbery.
    What by succession from his Auncestours,
    105And warlike seruice vnder Englands Armes,
    His liuing did amount too at his death
    Two thousand Markes reuenew euery yeare:
    And this (my Lord) I challenge for my right,
    As lawfull heire to Robert Fauconbridge.
    110Philip If first-borne sonne be heire indubitate
    By certaine right of Englands auncient Lawe,
    How should myselfe make any other doubt,
    But I am heire to Robert Fauconbridge?
    Iohn Fond Youth, to trouble these our Princely eares
    115Or make a question in so plaine a case:
    Speake, is this man thine elder Brother borne?
    Robert Please it your Grace with patience for to heare;
    I not denie but he mine Elder is,
    Mine elder Brother too: yet in such sort,
    120As he can make no title to the Land.
    Iohn A doubtfull tale as euer I did heare,
    Thy Brother and thine elder, and no heire:
    Explaine this darke AEnigma.
    Robert I graunt (my Lord) he is my mothers sonne,
    125Base borne, and base begot, no Fauconbridge.
    Indeede the world reputes him lawfull heire,
    My Father in his life did count him so,
    And here my Mother stands to prooue him so:
    But I (my Lord) can prooue, and doo auerre
    130Both to my Mothers shame and his reproach,
    He is no heire, nor yet legitimate.
    Then (gracious Lord) let Fauconbridge enioy
    The liuing that belongs to Fauconbridge.
    And
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