Post on 03-Jan-2016
The Historical Background The Historical Background of Shakespeare’s History of Shakespeare’s History
PlaysPlays
The Hundred Years’ War The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) and the Wars of (1337-1453) and the Wars of
the Roses (1455-1485)the Roses (1455-1485)
The origins of the The origins of the Anglo-French conflictAnglo-French conflict
Canute (1016-1035)Canute (1016-1035) 1066: the Norman Conquest 1066: the Norman Conquest
The first Hundred Years’ War, 1159-1259The first Hundred Years’ War, 1159-1259 Henry II’s (1154-89) AngevinHenry II’s (1154-89) Angevin Empire: Empire:
Normandy, Anjou, Brittany, AquitaineNormandy, Anjou, Brittany, Aquitaine Richard I (1189-1199) Richard I (1189-1199) King John’s (1199-1216) defeats King John’s (1199-1216) defeats Henry III’s (1216-1272) failuresHenry III’s (1216-1272) failures
The aims of Edward I (1272-1307): the The aims of Edward I (1272-1307): the defence of Gascony and the conquest of defence of Gascony and the conquest of Wales and ScotlandWales and Scotland
The Franco-Scottish alliance, 1295-1560The Franco-Scottish alliance, 1295-1560 The fiascos of Edward II (1307-1327):The fiascos of Edward II (1307-1327):
1314: defeated by the Scots (Bannockburn)1314: defeated by the Scots (Bannockburn)
1324: defeated in Gascony1324: defeated in Gascony
1327: dethroned1327: dethroned
The succession crisis in The succession crisis in FranceFrance
Edward III (1327-1377)Edward III (1327-1377)
1327: 1327: palace revolution by Isabella and palace revolution by Isabella and Roger Mortimer Roger Mortimer
1328: Anglo-Scottish peace treaty1328: Anglo-Scottish peace treaty
1330: Mortimer’s execution1330: Mortimer’s execution
1333: Edward’s war against David II, King 1333: Edward’s war against David II, King of Scotlandof Scotland – – David escapes to FranceDavid escapes to France
1336-37: Philip VI’s invasion plan and 1336-37: Philip VI’s invasion plan and confiscation of Gascony confiscation of Gascony
The phases of the The phases of the Hundred Years’ WarHundred Years’ War
1. 1337-13601. 1337-1360
2. 1369-13962. 1369-1396 Henry IV (1399-Henry IV (1399-1413)1413)
3. 1415-14293. 1415-1429 Henry V (1413-Henry V (1413-1422)1422)
4. 1429-14534. 1429-1453 Henry VI (1422-61)Henry VI (1422-61)
The English victories The English victories of the first phase of the first phase
1340: Sluys1340: Sluys – – the French fleet is the French fleet is destroyeddestroyed
1346: Crécy1346: Crécy the first use of cannon in Europethe first use of cannon in Europe the debut of the archersthe debut of the archers – – the longbow the longbow
1347: capture of Calais 1347: capture of Calais
1356: Poitiers1356: Poitiers – – the Black Prince’s successthe Black Prince’s success
1360: the Treaty of Brétigny1360: the Treaty of Brétigny
The second phase: French The second phase: French advantages and English advantages and English
difficultiesdifficulties The Fabian tactics of Charles V (the Wise)The Fabian tactics of Charles V (the Wise) 1372: victory of the Franco-Castilian fleet1372: victory of the Franco-Castilian fleet 1376: death of the Black Prince1376: death of the Black Prince 1377: death of Edward III1377: death of Edward III Richard II (1377-1399)Richard II (1377-1399) 1381: the Peasants’ Revolt (taxation, 1381: the Peasants’ Revolt (taxation,
social and religious tensions – John social and religious tensions – John Wycliffe, Lollardy, John Ball) Wycliffe, Lollardy, John Ball)
1399: the beginning of the 1399: the beginning of the Wars of the Roses?Wars of the Roses?
government by John of Gaunt, Duke of government by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster Lancaster
1382-86: Richard II begins to rule1382-86: Richard II begins to rule 1386-88: Parliament’s revolt led by the 1386-88: Parliament’s revolt led by the
Duke of Gloucester Duke of Gloucester 1389: the king regains power with the help 1389: the king regains power with the help
of John of Gaunt of John of Gaunt 1397-1398: Richard II’s revenge1397-1398: Richard II’s revenge – – execution execution
of leading baronsof leading barons;; exile of Henry exile of Henry Bolingbroke Bolingbroke
1399: the fatal mistake 1399: the fatal mistake
Richard IIRichard II
The timeThe time span of the Shakespeare span of the Shakespeare play: 1398-1400play: 1398-1400
The The disputedispute betweenbetween Henry Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray
Richard’s death: killed by Exton Richard’s death: killed by Exton (starved to death in reality?)(starved to death in reality?)
Henry IV wishes to repent in the Holy Henry IV wishes to repent in the Holy LandLand
Henry IV (1399-1413)Henry IV (1399-1413)
1400-1408: 1400-1408: rebellion of Owen Glendower, rebellion of Owen Glendower, Edmund Mortimer and Henry Percy Edmund Mortimer and Henry Percy (Hotspur) (Hotspur) – – Shrewsbury (1403Shrewsbury (1403 – – Henry IVHenry IV, end of Part 1), end of Part 1)
after 1408: the king’s illnessafter 1408: the king’s illness;; the ambitions of the ambitions of the easygoing Prince of Walesthe easygoing Prince of Wales;; Falstaff; Falstaff; struggle within the Royal Councilstruggle within the Royal Council;; the growing the growing influence of the Beaufortsinfluence of the Beauforts;; Chancellor and Chancellor and Archbishop Thomas Arundel forced to resign Archbishop Thomas Arundel forced to resign (1410-1412)(1410-1412)
Henry V (1413-1422)Henry V (1413-1422)
1415: siege of Harfleur1415: siege of Harfleur; ; dysenterydysentery Battle of Battle of AgincourtAgincourt French difficulties, English advantages: French difficulties, English advantages:
madness of Charles VImadness of Charles VI;; civil war in France civil war in France;; England’s alliance with BurgundyEngland’s alliance with Burgundy;; capture capture of Parisof Paris
1420: Treaty of Troyes (Henry marries 1420: Treaty of Troyes (Henry marries CatherineCatherine of of Valois Valois;; the the dauphindauphin is is excluded from the succession)excluded from the succession)
Henry VIHenry VI, Part 1 , Part 1
1422: Henry V’s funeral1422: Henry V’s funeral 1429: siege of Orléans, Jeanne d’Arc1429: siege of Orléans, Jeanne d’Arc (Joan (Joan
la Pucelle)la Pucelle) The barons pick white and red roses (a The barons pick white and red roses (a
false representation)false representation) 1435: the end of the Anglo-Burgund1435: the end of the Anglo-Burgundiian an
alliance (not Jalliance (not Joan ofoan of Arc’s achievement) Arc’s achievement) Henry’s planned marriage to Margaret Henry’s planned marriage to Margaret of of
AnjouAnjou (it is not the (it is not the EarlEarl of Suffolk who of Suffolk who captures the French princess) captures the French princess)
Henry VIHenry VI, Part 2, Part 2
1445: the wedding of Henry and Margaret 1445: the wedding of Henry and Margaret of of Anjou; the Duke of Gloucester (the Anjou; the Duke of Gloucester (the king’s uncle) is removed from power king’s uncle) is removed from power
1450: Suffolk is dismissed; Jack Cade’s 1450: Suffolk is dismissed; Jack Cade’s rebellion in Kent (it is not Richard, Duke of rebellion in Kent (it is not Richard, Duke of York who incites him) York who incites him)
1455: conflict between Richard and 1455: conflict between Richard and Somerset; the first Battle of Saint Albans; Somerset; the first Battle of Saint Albans; Somerset’s deathSomerset’s death
(1453-1454: Richard’s regency during the (1453-1454: Richard’s regency during the king’s incapacity)king’s incapacity)
Henry VIHenry VI, Part 3, Part 3
14551455: agreement between the king and : agreement between the king and Richard – after Henry’s death, the House Richard – after Henry’s death, the House of York comes to the throneof York comes to the throne
1460: the Battle of Wakefield –1460: the Battle of Wakefield – Margaret Margaret of of Anjou and Clifford are victorious, Richard Anjou and Clifford are victorious, Richard diesdies
1461: the Battle of Towton – Yorkist 1461: the Battle of Towton – Yorkist victory,victory, Edward IV (1461-70, 1471-83) Edward IV (1461-70, 1471-83) proclaimed king proclaimed king
Growing conflict between Warwick the Growing conflict between Warwick the Kingmaker and EdwardKingmaker and Edward
The Wars of the Roses: The Wars of the Roses: three separate warsthree separate wars
1. 1. 1455-1461 (until 1464 in the north)1455-1461 (until 1464 in the north)
Causes: Causes: the the mistakes and illness mistakes and illness of of Henry VIHenry VI;; defeat in France defeat in France
22. 1469-1471. 1469-1471
Caused by Warwick’s dissatisfaction Caused by Warwick’s dissatisfaction
3. 1483-873. 1483-87
Caused by Caused by the the ambitions ambitions of of Richard IIIRichard III
Henry VIHenry VI, Part 3, Part 3
Warwick, the dissatisfied nobleman : Warwick, the dissatisfied nobleman : The anti-French policy of Edward IVThe anti-French policy of Edward IV 1464: Edward marries Elizabeth Woodville1464: Edward marries Elizabeth WoodvilleAutumn, 1470: Warwick invades England, Autumn, 1470: Warwick invades England,
Edward escapes to Holland, Henry VI Edward escapes to Holland, Henry VI returns to the thronereturns to the throne
Spring, 1471: Edward returns, Warwick dies, Spring, 1471: Edward returns, Warwick dies, the Prince of Wales and Henry VI are the Prince of Wales and Henry VI are murdered (Richard’s deed?)murdered (Richard’s deed?)
Richard IIIRichard III
A A hunchbackhunchbackeded monster? 2012: he really monster? 2012: he really had a twisted spinehad a twisted spine
1472: marries Anne Neville (Warwick’s 1472: marries Anne Neville (Warwick’s daughter, the Prince of Wales’ widow)daughter, the Prince of Wales’ widow)
1478: Edward IV has the Duke of 1478: Edward IV has the Duke of Clarence executed for high treason (it is Clarence executed for high treason (it is not Richard who has hisnot Richard who has his own brother own brother murdered)murdered)
1483: Edward IV dies at the age of 40, 1483: Edward IV dies at the age of 40, Edward V is only 12Edward V is only 12
Richard IIIRichard III
Richard’s mistakes:Richard’s mistakes:1.1. The execution of Chamberlain Lord Hastings The execution of Chamberlain Lord Hastings 2.2. Declaring the two sons of Edward IV Declaring the two sons of Edward IV
illegitimateillegitimate3.3. Having the two princes murdered (James Having the two princes murdered (James
Tyrrell?) – the Duke of Buckingham’s revoltTyrrell?) – the Duke of Buckingham’s revolt1485: the Battle of Bosworth, Henry VII’s 1485: the Battle of Bosworth, Henry VII’s
(Richmond’s) accession to the throne and (Richmond’s) accession to the throne and marriage to Elizabeth of York marriage to Elizabeth of York
ShakespeareShakespeare’s’s historical historical distortionsdistortions
Factual mistakesFactual mistakes Invented eventsInvented events Upsetting the chronological order of eventsUpsetting the chronological order of eventsShakespeare’s interpretation: Shakespeare’s interpretation: 1.1. There was persistent bloodshed in England There was persistent bloodshed in England
for decades for decades 2.2. The conflict started as early as 1399 The conflict started as early as 1399 3.3. Richard III’s demonic figure – symbol of the Richard III’s demonic figure – symbol of the
whole ‘dark’ periodwhole ‘dark’ period