62 Winds blows

  62 ordnance artillery

  66 yoketh subjects, imprisons, yokes like an animal

  67 Razeth wipes out, obliterates

  67 subverts overthrows

  69 abuse insulting, aggressive behavior/delusion, misconception

  70 bruited reported, proclaimed

  74 entertain receive

  75 misconster misconstrue

  80 patience permission

  81 cates delicacies

  82 stomachs appetites

  Act 2 Scene 4

  2.4 Location: London, a garden at the Temple (area west of the City that housed the Inns of Court, where young men studied law)

  2 case of truth legal term for a case that is to be resolved by considering the facts rather than any ethical implications; given the ensuing dialogue, the dispute may have been one concerning Plantagenet’s claim to the throne

  3 were would have been

  6 Or else perhaps “or alternatively, to put it another way,” but probably Plantagenet simply inquires, “Was I right or was Somerset wrong?” to which he can only receive a favorable answer

  6 wrangling quarreling/disputing (formally on an academic issue)

  7 a truant negligent

  8 frame adapt

  11 pitch height (falconry term: highest point in the flight of a bird of prey)

  12 mouth bark

  13 blades swords’ blades

  13 temper quality, hardness

  14 bear him carry himself

  16 shallow naive

  17 nice precise, fastidious

  17 sharp subtle, discerning

  17 quillets fine distinctions

  18 daw jackdaw, a proverbially stupid bird

  19 mannerly forbearance courteous reluctance (to be involved)

  20 naked evident, palpable

  21 purblind partially blind

  22 apparelled dressed (as opposed to being naked)

  24 blind i.e. totally blind as opposed to merely purblind

  26 significants signs

  28 stands insists

  29 pleaded stated (legal sense)

  30 white rose badge of the Mortimers (from whom Richard is descended) and then the House of York

  32 party side

  33 red rose badge of the House of Lancaster

  34 colours literally, hues/corroborative evidence (legal sen se)/military banners

  34 colour outward appearance

  38 withal with it

  42 yield concede in law

  43 objected urged, brought forward as an argument

  44 subscribe submit, agree (literally, sign a document)

  47 maiden unblemished, pure

  53 Opinion public opinion, reputation (a shift from the usual sense in the previous line)

  54 still always

  60 scabbard sheath for a sword

  60 meditating that thinking on that which

  62 counterfeit imitate

  69 canker parasitic grub that destroys plants

  71 his its

  75 false dishonest (also continues Somerset’s accusation that Richard is counterfeit)

  77 fashion sort/fashion of wearing a red rose

  77 peevish foolish/stubborn

  79 Pole Suffolk’s family name

  80 turn … throat throw the slanders back down your throat

  82 grace favor, ennoble

  82 yeoman man who owns properly but is not a gentleman

  84 grandfather ancestor (actually his great-great-grandfather)

  86 crestless without heraldic crest/without a top to his family tree (an image picked up on in root)/with lowered (cock’s) crest, i.e. cowardly

  87 bears … privilege relies on the fact that this is a privileged place (where it was forbidden to draw swords)

  88 craven cowardly

  89 maintain standby, defend

  93 attainted tainted, corrupt/subject to attainder (legal term), i.e. unable to inherit properly or title from a relative who received the death penalty

  96 be restored have title and property returned, be reinstated

  97 attachèd, not attainted arrested, but not made legally subject to attainder (perhaps having been executed on the king’s orders, without being formally indicted by bill of attainder)

  100 Were … will i.e. given the opportunity

  101 partaker part-taker, supporter

  102 note record/brand

  103 apprehension opinion

  104 Look to it beware it, expect it

  107 spite contempt

  109 cognizance badge, distinguishing mark

  112 degree rank

  115 Have with thee I will go with you

  116 braved defied, insulted

  116 perforce of necessity

  117 object bring forward as a charge, an accusation

  119 for … of to make peace between

  122 in signal as a sign

  124 party side

  126 faction dissent, forming of factions

  131 still always

  133 gentles gentlemen

  Act 2 Scene 5

  2.5 Location: the Tower of London

  1 keepers carers, nurses/jailers

  3 haled hauled, dragged

  3 rack torture instrument that stretched the limbs

  5 pursuivants messengers (one of whose tasks was to announce the imminent arrival of their master)

  6 Nestor oldest of the Greek leaders who fought at Troy; famed for his wisdom

  6 care anxiety, sorrow

  9 Wax grow

  9 exigent end

  10 overborne overburdened

  11 pithless feeble, lacking “pith” or vital essence

  13 stay is numb support is paralyzed

  16 witting knowing

  22 his wrong the wrong done to him

  23 Henry Monmouth Henry V, so nicknamed because he was born at Monmouth, a town in southern Wales near the English border

  25 sequestration imprisonment/loss of income

  26 even exactly

  28 arbitrator one who decides and settles a matter between opposed parties

  29 umpire one brought in to decide a matter when arbitrators cannot agree

  30 enlargement release

  31 his i.e. Richard’s

  35 used treated

  36 late lately, recently

  38 latter last

  40 kindly in kinship

  41 stock main body of a tree or plant

  44 disease pronounced “dis-ease”

  47 lavish unrestrained, excessive

  49 obloquy disgrace, slander

  49 set … tongue made me speechless/made me grit my teeth (in rage)

  50 requited repaid, answered

  53 alliance’ kinship’s, family’s

  53 declare explain

  59 Discover reveal

  59 at large fully

  64 nephew relative (here, cousin)

  64 Richard, Edward’s son Richard II, son to Edward III; the deposition is dramatized in Richard II

  67 whose i.e. Henry IV’s

  67 Percies Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his son (nicknamed “Hotspur”); these events are dramatized in 1 and 2 Henry IV

  70 moved that moved

  74 mother actually his grandmother, daughter to the Duke of Clarence; probably this Edmund Mortimer is being confused with his uncle of the same name, although “mother” can mean “female ancestor”

  74 derivèd descended

  77 John of Gaunt Edward III’s fourth son

  79 mark pay attention

  79 haughty proud, aspiring

  80 They i.e. the Mortimers and the Percies

  83 Bullingbrook i.e. Henry IV, known by this name before he was king

  87 hard severe

  88 weening aiming, thinking

  89 diadem crown

  94 issue children

  95 warrant guarantee

  96 gather infer/regain (the inheritance)

  97 studious diligent

  98 admonishments warnings

  101 politic prudent

  104 removing departing (i.e. dying)

  105 cloyed sickened, satiated

  108 passage passing

  111 except unless

  111 sorrow … good mourn for the good in me/can use your grief for my (posthumous) advantage, i.e. revenge

  112 give order make arrangements

  117 overpassed lived out, spent

  119 let that rest leave that alone

  122 dusky dim, flickering (perhaps referring to his failing eyesight)

  123 of … sort belonging to less noble people (i.e. Bullingbrook and his supporters)

  124 for as for

  125 house family

  128 blood i.e. inheritance rights

  129 make … good turn the wrongs done to me to my advantage, let my injuries fuel my ambition

  Act 3 Scene 1

  3.1 Location: London, parliament

  3.1 offers … bill attempts to present a list of accusations

  1 deep premeditated lines carefully planned statements

  5 invention stratagem/fabrication/written exposition

  5 suddenly spontaneously

  6 extemporal unplanned

  7 object bring forward in accusation

  8 commands my patience obliges me to endure this

  10 preferred put forward

  11 vile contemptible, shameful

  12 forged fabricated, invented

  13 Verbatim word for word/orally

  13 rehearse relate, repeat

  13 method … pen order and arrangement of what I have written

  15 lewd low, wicked

  15 pestiferous poisonous, deadly

  15 dissentious quarrelsome, provoking disorder

  15 pranks wicked deeds, malicious acts

  16 As very that even

  17 pernicious destructive

  17 usurer moneylender who charges (often very high) interest; another reference to the leasing of land in Southwark and sanctioning of brothels there

  18 Froward demanding, stubborn

  19 wanton dissolute

  19 beseems befits, is appropriate to

  20 degree position, status

  21 for as for

  24 sifted closely examined

  26 envious malicious

  26 swelling arrogant

  31 haps happens, chances

  32 wonted customary, usual

  34 except unless

  35 that that which

  37 sway rule, have influence

  38 about concerned with

  43 bastard Winchester was the illegitimate son of John of Gaunt by Catherine Swynford (whom Gaunt later married)

  45 imperious acting like a king

  46 saucy insolent

  48 keeps resides for defense

  49 patronage protect

  51 reverent worthy of respect

  52 Touching concerning

  52 function role, occupation

  53 Rome i.e. the Pope

  55 forbear desist

  56 overborne overruled, subdued

  58 office duty, behavior

  58 such i.e. religious persons

  59 his lordship i.e. Winchester

  61 holy state ecclesiastical status

  61 touched … near so closely concerned

  65 sirrah term of address for social inferiors

  67 fling verbal attack

  69 weal commonwealth, state

  73 jar clash, quarrel

  74 tender years historically, Henry, a baby when his father died, was five at the time of this dispute

  75 viperous worm malevolent, poisonous snake

  76 bowels insides, intestines tawny-coats i.e. ecclesiastical officials, supporters of Winchester

  83 late lately

  85 banding themselves forming groups

  85 contrary parts opposing parties

  86 pate head(s)

  87 giddy consumed by disorder, mad with fury

  92 mitigate calm, lessen

  94 as just as

  95 peevish foolish/stubborn

  100 suffer allow

  102 disgracèd insulted; treated without reverent respect

  102 inkhorn mate mere scribe (i.e. low status)

  105 parings trimmings

  106 pitch prepare defensive stakes

  106 pitch a field prepare for battle

  114 study endeavor, labor

  114 prefer put forward, favor

  117 repulse refusal, rejection

  119 mischief harm, calamity

  124 his i.e. Winchester’s

  125 privilege of advantage over

  127 moody angry, disordered

  129 tragical foreboding/sorrowful

  135 hath … gird has been given a suitable rebuke

  140 hollow empty, insincere, deceptive

  142 token i.e. the handshake

  144 dissemble deceive, pretend

  147 contract accord, agreement

  148 masters i.e. the servants (a condescending though not offensive form of address)

  150 surgeon more particularly, physician

  152 physic medicine

  155 exhibit show, submit for consideration

  157 mark note, pay attention to

  157 circumstance detail, particular

  159 occasions reasons, circumstances

  161 of force convincing, forceful

  163 blood hereditary rights (to properly and titles)

  165 wrongs i.e. wrongs suffered by him

  174 reguerdon recompense, reward

  175 gird invest (with a title; picks up on the sound of reguerdon)

  177 princely of the royal blood

  180 grudge one thought have one resentful thought

  187 disanimates discourages, disheartens

  187 Sennet trumpet call signaling a procession

  194 forged false (may play on the sense of “molded in fire”)

  196 festered rotten, decomposing

  196 members limbs

  196 by degree gradually, in stages

  198 envious malicious

  202 Henry … Monmouth i.e. Henry V

  203 Henry … Windsor i.e. Henry VI

  205 hapless unlucky

  Act 3 Scene 2

  3.2 Location: Rouen, a French town on the River Seine, between Le Havre and Paris

  2 policy strategy, cunning

  4 vulgar common, ordinary

  7 that if

  9 encounter assail, confront

  10 mean means

  11 be shall be

  13 Qui là? “Who goes there?” (French)

  14 Paysans … France “Peasants, the poor folk of France”

  18 happy fortunate

  20 practisants conspirators, plotters

  25 No … entered no entrance is as weakly guarded as the one she entered

  25 top i.e. gallery, upper staging level

  26 wedding torch Hymen, the Greek and Roman god of marriage, was traditionally depicted carrying a burning torch

  31 shine it may it shine

  32 prophet to portent of (comets were thought to be bad omens)

  34 presently immediately

  35 do … watch kill the guards

  35 excursion a bout of fighting across the stage

  39 unawares unexpectedly

  40 hardly with difficulty pride power and arrogance/the dauphin (and his fellow nobles)

  40 without on the main stage

  40 within probably, but not necessarily, on the upper staging level, conventionally used to represent city walls

  41 gallants fine young gentlemen (sarcastic)

  43 rate cost

  44 darnel weeds

  51 run a-tilt at joust with, charge at

  51 within while seated in

  52 hag witch

  52 of all despite full of spite or malice

  53 Encompassed with surrounded by

  55 twit taunt

  56 bout of fighting/of sex

  58 hot hot-tempered/lustful

  60 speed aid/hurry up

  60 speaker spokesperson/chairman (of the parliament)

  61 in the field for battle

  62 Belike presumably

  64 Hecate in classical mythology, the goddess of night and the underworld and the patroness of witches

  67 Seigneur lord

  68 base muleteers lowly mule-drivers

  69 footboys boy servants, often assistants to footmen

  69 keep stay near

  78 Pricked spurred

  81 his … conqueror Henry V besieged and captured Rouen in 1419

  83 Coeur-de-lion Richard I of England, nicknamed “the Lionheart” after he fought a lion and tore its heart out; he asked that his heart be buried in Rouen

  86 regard observe/tend to

  89 crazy infirm, fragile

  92 weal happiness

  95 stout brave

  95 Pendragon Uther Pendragon, father of King Arthur; the story referred to here is related in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regnum Britanniae

  95 litter transportable bed for the sick

  98 ever always

  101 ado business, fuss

  102 out of hand at once, immediately

  106 have the overthrow be defeated

  113 daring challenging, defiant

  114 glad here, relieved fain willing

  121 gentle noble/kind

  122 familiar witch’s attendant spirit, demon

  123 braves boasts

  123 Charles his gleeks Charles’ scoffs, jests

  124 amort downcast, dispirited

  126 take some order establish order, make arrangements

  127 expert experienced

  129 lie dwells

  133 exequies funeral rites

  134 couchèd lance leveled his lance in attack

  135 sway exert influence

  136 potentates powerful rulers

  137 end sum, final destination/purpose/ending, death

  Act 3 Scene 3

  3.3 Location: near Rouen

  1 accident unforeseen event

  2 recoverèd regained by the English

  3 Care … cure sorrow, anxiety

  7 train peacock’s tail/army

  8 be but ruled merely follow advice

  10 cunning skill/magical powers

  10 diffidence distrust

  11 foil defeat

  12 wit intelligence

  12 secret policies surprise stratagems

  18 fair plausible, flattering

  21 sweeting sweetheart, darling

  24 extirpèd uprooted

  25 expulsed expelled

  30 unto Paris-ward toward Paris

  31 colours spread flags unfurled

  34 in in our

  35 parley negotiation between opposing sides (summoned with a particular trumpet call)

  40 enchant bewitch

  43 tedious laborious, lengthy

  46 wasting destructive, ravaging

  47 lowly laid low, prostrate/tiny