King John & Henry VIII Read online

  36 carders those who prepared wool for spinning by combing out impurities and aligning the fibres

  36 fullers those who beat cloth to clean and thicken it

  37 life i.e. ways of making a living

  39 Daring … th’teeth pushing the situation to the extreme, challenging matters to the limit

  40 danger i.e. the potential for outright revolt

  40 serves has joined ranks

  46 single part individual role, i.e. only my share

  46 aught anything

  47 front … me merely march in the front rank along with others who keep the same pace

  48 tell count

  53 you … acquaintance you devise matters that are known to everyone, which are damaging to those who would rather not know of them but who are obliged to endure them nevertheless

  54 have note be informed

  55 bear carry

  56 is … th’load i.e. is bowed down painfully by the burden

  58 exclamation outcry, reproach

  60 In what kind of what nature

  62 venturous adventurous, daring

  63 tempting of testing

  63 boldened Under made bold by

  64 grief grievance, complaint

  66 substance wealth

  67 pretence alleged reason/pretext

  71 prayers i.e. for the king

  72 tractable compliant

  72 slave … will i.e. now governed by wrath

  73 would wish

  75 primer baseness greater manifestation of low, dishonorable behavior

  77 pleasure wishes

  80 single voice (his) individual vote/unanimous vote (of the Privy Council)

  80 passed ratified, approved by

  81 approbation consent

  82 Traduced slandered, dishonored

  83 faculties capabilities/qualities

  85 place high office

  85 brake thicket

  86 stint restrain, withhold

  88 To cope of encountering

  88 censurers critics

  90 new trimmed newly fitted out

  91 vainly longing i.e. hoping in vain for the refurbished and seaworthy boat to sink and provide food

  91 What … allowed malicious or essentially foolish interpreters often refuse to believe in or give us credit for our best actions

  93 what … act our worst actions, which often appeal to baser people, are declared the best we ever did

  96 In for

  96 motion action/proposal

  96 carped at complained of

  98 state-statues images of statesmen

  101 example precedent

  101 issue outcome

  103 Of for

  104 rend … will i.e. force the subjects to obey the changing will of the monarch rather than the law

  106 trembling fearful

  107 lop lopped-off branch

  109 The … sap i.e. the tree will die

  110 questioned challenged, resisted

  116 grace good will/mercy

  116 commons common people

  117 Hardly conceive think harshly

  117 noised rumored, reported

  118 our Wolsey uses the royal plural

  118 revokement repeal

  119 anon shortly

  122 Is run in has incurred, come into

  124 rare splendid/exceptional

  125 To … bound no one is more indebted to nature for such qualities

  127 out of beyond

  129 disposed applied, directed

  130 vicious wicked, immoral

  131 complete accomplished, perfect

  133 ravished entranced

  135 monstrous unnatural

  135 habits clothing/behavior, practices

  138 gentleman in trust trusted servant

  140 practices plots

  141 hear too much i.e. for our own protection

  143 careful dutiful, full of care (for the king)

  143 collected picked up, gathered (as evidence)

  148 issue children

  148 carry manage

  149 sceptre staff carried as a symbol of sovereignty

  151 menaced threatened

  154 conception intention, plan

  155 Not … person not being gratified in his wish regarding you (i.e. that the king should die childless)

  157 friends i.e. Wolsey

  159 Deliver speak

  161 How … fail? On what did he base his claim to the throne in the event of my death without an heir?

  162 To this point on this subject

  167 Chartreux Carthusian, i.e. one of a strict monastic order from Chartreux near Grenoble in France

  172 the Rose the name of a manor house belonging to Buckingham

  173 St Lawrence Poultney a church on Candlewick Street in London

  174 speech talk, gossip, prevailing opinion

  176 perfidious treacherous

  177 To … danger resulting in danger for the king

  177 presently instantly

  178 doubted feared/suspected

  182 choice chosen, appointed

  183 moment importance

  187 demure confidence grave assurance, solemn certainty

  190 o’th’commonalty of the common people

  195 spleen anger, malice

  196 nobler i.e. as the immortal soul is more important than worldly rank

  198 on go on

  200 but only

  204 forged formed, created (in)

  205 much … do very likely to be carried out

  207 failed died

  210 rank foul, corrupt, gross

  214 Greenwich a royal palace south of the River Thames

  219 his as his own (instead of the king’s)

  220 committed imprisoned

  223 Richard i.e. Richard III

  223 Salisbury town in Wiltshire, southwest England

  224 suit a formal request

  225 made … duty i.e. by kneeling before Richard in feigned respect

  230 God mend all may God put everything right

  233 stretched him stood fully upright

  234 mounting raising

  236 evil used badly treated

  236 outgo surpass

  238 irresolute shaky, undecided/not accomplished

  239 period end, purpose

  240 attached arrested

  241 present immediate

  244 to th’height in the highest degree

  1 spells magic charms

  1 juggle trick, deceive, conjure

  2 mysteries enigmatic behavior (i.e. the imitation of French courtly fashions)

  5 let ’em be even if they are

  7 late recent

  8 fit … o’th’face one or two grimaces, contrived facial expressions

  8 shrewd cunning, artful/sharp, clever

  9 hold ’em assume such facial expressions

  11 Pepin or Clotharius eighth- and sixth-century Kings of the Franks

  11 keep state so maintain such affected dignity (presumably those referred to are walking around with their noses in the air)

  12 legs i.e. ways of walking/bowing

  12 take it think, assume/affirm, swear

  13 spavin tumor on a horse’s leg caused by inflammation of cartilage

  14 springhalt stringhalt, a disease of a horse’s hind legs, causing spasmodic muscle contractions

  15 Death contracted form of the oath “by God’s death”

  16 after … to’t fashioned in such a pagan manner

  17 worn out exhausted (all the styles available in)

  21 clapped placed

  27 Louvre French royal palace in Paris

  30 fool and feather foolishness and elaborate dress (such as feathers worn on hats)

  31 honourable … ignorance foolish trivia they consider worthy (points plays on the sense of “laces used for fastening clothing”)

  32 as such as

  32 fights i.e. duels

  32 fireworks fighting/whoring (perhaps also with associations o
f “elaborate pyrotechnic displays”)

  33 Abusing dishonoring, mocking

  34 Out … wisdom using the so-called wisdom they have gained abroad

  34 renouncing clean they must now renounce totally

  35 tall … breeches i.e. French fashions, playing on notion of venereal disease

  35 blistered short and puffed/covered in blisters, symptomatic of venereal disease

  36 types marks, indications

  36 travel plays on sense of sexual travail, exertion

  37 understand comprehend/stand up properly (with sexual connotations)

  37 honest honorable/true

  38 pack depart

  38 playfellows (sexual) partners

  39 cum privilegio “with immunity” (Latin; an abbreviated form of the phrase announcing the exclusive right of a printer to publish a book)

  39 oui “yes” (French)

  40 lag end latter part, tail end (with phallic connotations)

  40 lewdness foolishness/wickedness/lechery

  41 physic medicine, specifically perhaps a cure for venereal disease

  44 trim vanities smart dandies/worthless fripperies/handsome playthings

  45 marry by the Virgin Mary

  46 whoresons bastards, wretches (a coarse term of abuse)

  47 speeding successful/speedy

  47 lay down seduce/have sex with

  48 fiddle musical instrument/penis/mirth-maker, jester

  48 fellow equal

  49 fiddle play with/cheat

  50 converting of ’em i.e. reforming their behavior

  52 play performing music/sexual play

  52 plainsong simple melody, i.e. straightforward manner of wooing

  53 hearing i.e. audience (with a woman)

  53 by’r lady by Our Lady (the Virgin Mary)

  54 Held be considered

  54 current fashionable

  56 colt’s tooth youthful lust

  56 cast discarded

  58 stump remains of a tooth/penis

  64 makes gives

  68 fruitful generous

  69 dews i.e. favors, benevolence (puns on “dues” or taxes)

  71 black slanderous/sinful

  71 other otherwise

  72 he’s wherewithal he has the necessary means

  73 Sparing frugality, economy

  74 way way of life, i.e. as a cardinal

  77 ones i.e. examples

  77 stays waits

  78 along i.e. come along

  80 spoke to asked

  81 comptrollers stewards, masters of ceremonies

  82 your lordship’s i.e. entirely at your disposal

  1.4 Location: York Place (now Whitehall)—Wolsey’s residence

  1.4 Hautboys oboelike instruments

  1.4 state canopy

  1.4 divers various, several

  4 bevy company

  5 abroad out with her, from home

  7 tardy slow, late

  9 Clapped fixed

  12 lay secular/sexual

  13 running banquet hasty meal/rewarding sexual pursuit or sex itself

  15 society group

  16 confessor plays on the sense of “sexual partner”

  19 easy penance with sexual connotations

  21 down feather

  23 Place you you arrange the seating

  25 cold plays on the sense of “sexually unresponsive”

  26 waking awake, lively (with suggestion of sexual activity)

  29 thank I thank

  30 wild erratically, madly/recklessly, excitably/lustfully

  32 mad insane/uncontrollable, high-spirited

  34 bite biting was thought to be a common trait of madmen

  35 twenty i.e. twenty ladies

  35 with a breath in one breath, in a very short space of time

  36 said done

  37 fairly properly/favorably/fully

  39 Pass away leave

  40 For as for

  40 cure spiritual duty/remedy (for frowning)/ sexual remedy

  41 Let me alone leave it to me

  47 bowl i.e. full of wine

  47 may as may

  50 beholding beholden, indebted

  50 cheer entertain/encourage/cheer up

  56 gamester sporting, fun-loving person/gambler/one fond of sex

  58 make my play score (in cards/in love)

  59 pledge it drink to my toast

  60 thing plays on the sense of “penis”

  62 anon soon

  62.1 chambers small cannon

  65 voice i.e. noise

  67 privileged protected

  69 strangers foreigners

  71 make make their way

  76 heaven of beauty i.e. gathering of beautiful ladies

  78 broken disrupted

  80 Masquers costumed nobles taking part in a courtly entertainment involving dancing

  80 habited dressed

  81 pleasures wills, desires

  83 fame report, rumor

  87 conduct guidance, permission

  89 revels merriment/courtly entertainment

  99 this place i.e. the chair of state

  100 but only

  106 it i.e. the chair of state

  111 fair fine/virtuous/beautiful

  112 You … unhappily i.e. if you were not a rightfully minded clergyman, I should look unfavorably upon this gathering of beautiful women

  115 pleasant merry

  117 Prithee please (literally “I pray thee”)

  118 An’t if it

  119 her highness’ women i.e. lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine

  120 dainty delicately pretty

  121 take you out i.e. to dance

  122 health toast

  124 banquet separate course of sweetmeats after the main feast, served in a different room

  125 I’th’privy chamber i.e. in a private inner room

  128 heated hot, but in his reply Henry plays on the sense of “lustful, hot-blooded”

  133 forsake leave, give up

  135 measure slow stately dance

  136 dream focus on/conjecture

  137 best in favour best-looking/most popular with the ladies

  137 knock it strike up

  2.1 Location: a street in Westminster, London

  2.1 several separate

  3 hall i.e. Westminster Hall

  16 passed it did the trial proceed

  17 a little brief

  18 to his accusations in response to the accusations brought against him

  19 still consistently

  19 alleged brought forward

  20 law i.e. case against him

  22 examinations testimonies, statements

  22 proofs evidence

  23 divers various, several

  24 him brought i.e. have brought to him

  24.1 viva voce “in person, in live speech” (Latin)

  32 fain gladly

  37 pitied in him i.e. prompted useless pity

  37 forgotten i.e. was ineffectual

  40 knell funeral bell, i.e. death sentence

  41 sweat sweated

  42 choler anger

  42 ill unfavorable/wicked/bitter

  43 fell to recovered

  50 end root, bottom

  52 Kildare’s attainder the accusation and disgrace of the Earl of Kildare; he was imprisoned on a number of charges and his role as Lord Deputy in Ireland was given to the Earl of Surrey, Buckingham’s son-in-law

  53 deputy governor

  55 father father-in-law

  56 trick of state political contrivance

  57 envious malicious

  58 his i.e. Surrey’s

  59 requite avenge, repay

  60 generally universally, by all

  64 perniciously deeply, desiring his death or ruin

  67 mirror image, model

  67.1 Tipstaves court officers, named after their badge of office, a metal-tipped staff

  67.2 axe … him signifying that the prisoner had been condemned to death
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br />   67.3 Halberds i.e. halberdiers, carrying long-handled weapons topped with a combination of spearhead and axe blade

  70 close out of sight/quietly

  73 lose forget

  74 judgement sentence

  76 sink ruin/damn

  79 premises evidence (submitted in court)

  80 more better

  82 look beware, watch out

  83 evils wrongdoings, evil careers/hovels or privies

  86 sue plead

  87 More … faults i.e. much greater than the magnitude of offense I would dare to commit

  90 only … dying the only thing that is bitter to him, the only real death he experiences

  92 divorce of steel i.e. separation of body and soul by the axe

  93 sacrifice offering

  101 take make

  101 envy malice

  105 Yet still

  105 forsake leaves (my body)

  107 tell count

  109 old time perhaps a personification here

  110 monument tomb

  112 charge duty, role

  113 undertakes takes responsibility for

  116 furniture furnishings, equipment

  119 state rank

  122 base dishonorable, unworthy/low-born

  123 truth loyalty/honesty

  123 seal confirm, ratify

  126 head an army

  126 Richard i.e. Richard III

  135 stroke action/executioner’s blow

  138 happier more fortunate

  142 end purpose

  143 from … certain the words of a dying man were considered especially wise or prophetic

  144 liberal of generous with

  145 loose careless

  147 rub obstacle (bowling term)

  149 But except

  156 authors originators, causes

  159 fall happens

  162 faith reliability, trustworthiness

  167 am confident i.e. trust you

  168 shall i.e. shall have it

  168 late recent

  169 buzzing rumor

  171 held not did not stand firm, did not last

  173 straight straight away

  174 allay subdue, silence

  178 held for it is thought

  179 venture at it risk acting on it

  180 about him near who are close to him

  181 possessed … scruple put a doubt into his mind (perhaps with connotations of demonic possession; the doubt is that Henry’s marriage is invalid because Katherine had originally been married to his older brother Arthur; marrying one’s brother’s widow is prohibited in Leviticus 20:21)

  183 Cardinal Campeius the Pope’s legate sent from Rome to determine the legality of the king’s marriage

  186 emperor Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, Queen Katherine’s nephew

  188 purposed intended, planned

  189 have … mark i.e. are accurate

  189 mark target (in archery)

  190 smart pain

  193 open exposed, public

  2.2 Location: the royal court, London