Transcript Shakespeare and the Monarchy

Wars
of
the
Roses
Shakespeare’s
Histories
and the
Monarchy
“Traditional” view of 15th c. England:
• England was decadent society, torn by bloody
civil war between Houses of York and
Lancaster
• Between 1455 – 1485 crown changed hands 5
times
• Resolved when Henry Tudor of House of
Lancaster became King Henry VII, married
Elizabeth of York, ended the civil wars, and
brought peace and prosperity to England.
Traditional view challenged in 1981 study by
John Gilligan who argues
England was “the most
peaceful country in
Europe.” The 16th c. was free
of religious controversy and
the economy was strong.
Literacy increased and
technological developments abounded.
Gilligham’s Argument
“Wars of the Roses” caused by:
1) Shortcomings of Henry VI, 1459 – 61;
2) Discontent of Earl of Warwick, 1469 – 71;
3) Ambitions of Richard III, 1483 – 87
The dynastic struggle did not create the conflicts
but rather channeled them and permitted them
to be resolved. Most English were not involved
in the fighting, and the battles had few
casualties.
Shortcomings of Henry VI
• Dominated by his wife,
Margaret of Anjou, and his
counselors, the Dukes of
Suffolk and Somerset
• Ignored the wealthiest landowner of England,
Richard of York
• Suffered first mental breakdown in 1453 and
was unable to speak or use his limbs for 18
months
Act of Accord (24 October 1460) allowed Henry
VI to keep the throne but decreed it would pass
upon his death to Richard and his heirs. Richard
of York was killed at the Battle of Wakenfield in
December 1460, but his son was proclaimed
Edward IV in March 1461
after the Yorkist defeat
of the Lancastrians at
Towton.
Discontent of Earl of Warwick, 1469 – 71
• Upset by Edward’s marriage to Elizabeth
Woodville and allied with Edward’s brother
George, Duke of Clarence
• Attempted in 1469 and 1470 to overthrow
Edward
• Forced Edward IV to flee to Holland in October
1470 and Henry VI returned as king
• Killed by Edward’s forces at Barnet in April
1471; Margaret captured and son Prince
Edward killed at Tewkesbury in May
Ambitions of Richard of Gloucester (Richard III)
• Disliked Elizabeth Woodville and her allies
• Argued Edward & Elizabeth’s marriage was
null and void and thus the Princes were
illegitimate
• Kidnapped Edward V and his younger brother
and had himself crowned Richard III in July
1483
• Defeated by the Lancastrian claimant to the
throne, Henry Tudor, at the Battle of Bosworth
in 1485
Shakespeare’s Histories and the
Monarchy
First Performances of the History Plays
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King Henry IV Part 1 - 1597-98
King Henry IV Part 2 - 1597-98
King Henry V - 1598-99
King Henry VI Part 1 - 1592 March 3
King Henry VI Part 2 - 1592-93
King Henry VI Part 3 - 1592-93
King Henry VIII - 1612-13
King John - 1596-97
Richard II - 1601 February 7
Richard III - 1600-01
Fact or Fiction. Richard III _ 5/5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgr94xGp1DM
Henry A. (Harry) Payne: Choosing the Red and White Roses in
the Temple Garden, 1910
Of all the incidents that are associated with particular places,
none stands out more vividly than the scene told by
Shakespeare, of the first beginning to the Wars of the Roses in
the Temple Garden. Richard Plantagenet, with the Earls of
Somerset, Suffolk, and Warwick, Vernon, and a lawyer, enter the
Temple Garden ("Henry VI." Pt. I. Act 2, sc. iv.). Suffolk. Within
the Temple Hall we were too loud; The
garden here is more convenient.
Plantagenet. Then say at once if I
maintained the truth, Or else was
wrangling Somerset in the error ? The
direct answer being evaded, Plantagenet
continues- Since you are tongue-tied and
(continued)
so loath to speak, In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts;
Let him that is a true-born gentleman, And stands upon the
honour of his birth, If he suppose that I have pleaded truth, From
off this brier pluck a white rose with me. Somerset. Let him that
is no coward nor no flatterer, But dare maintain the party of the
truth, Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me. Warwick. I
pluck this white rose with Plantagenet. Suffolk. I pluck this red
rose with young Somerset. Vernon. I pluck this pale and maiden
blossom here, Giving my verdict on the white rose side. Lawyer
(to Somerset) ... The argument you held was wrong in you, In
sign whereof I pluck a white rose too. Plan. Now, Somerset,
where is your argument ? Som.
(continued)
Here, in my scabbard, meditating that Shall dye your white rose
in a bloody red. Plan. Hath not thy rose a canker, Somerset ?
Som. Hath not thy rose a thorn, Plantagenet ? Plan. Ay, sharp
and piercing to maintain his truth; Whiles thy consuming canker
eats his falsehood. Som. Well, I'll find friends to wear my
bleeding roses, That shall maintain what I have said is true.
Warwick. And here I prophesy this brawl to-day, Grown to this
faction in the Temple-garden, Shall send between the red rose
and the white A thousand souls to death and deadly night.