Showing results for "William King" in Arts & Entertainment

The Life and Death of King John, a history play by William Shakespeare, dramatises the reign of John, King of England (ruled 1199–1216), son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and father of Henry III of England. It is believed to have been written in the mid-1590s but was not published until it appeared in the First Folio in 1623.John (24 December 1166 – 19 October 1216), also known as John Lackland or Softsword, was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death. His reign saw the loss of the duchy of Normandy to the French king Philip II in 1204, resulting in the collapse...

Delve into the complexities of power, family dynamics, and the human condition as inspired by the timeless themes of a royal father's descent into madness and the ensuing chaos it wreaks upon his kingdom. This podcast offers a rotating collection of complete audiobooks that explore the intricate struggles between authority and loyalty, wisdom and folly, ambition and betrayal. Each week, a different book is featured, showcasing a diverse range of perspectives, time periods, and storytelling styles. Perfect for those seeking insight into the human psyche or simply an escape into the dramatic and...

Henry IV, Part 2 is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed written between 1596 and 1599. It is the third part of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II and Henry IV, Part 1 and succeeded by Henry V. The play picks up where Henry IV, Part 1 left off. Its focus is on Prince Hal's journey toward kingship and his ultimate rejection of Falstaff. (Summary from Wikipedia) Characters: Rumour the Presenter and Lady Percy: Cecelia Prior King Henry IV: Mark F. Smith Henry, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Henry V: Max Porter Zasada Prince John of Lancaster: Brian Edwards Prince Humphrey of ...

William Holden Hutton (1860-1930) was a British historian and Dean of Winchester Cathedral. In this slim volume, Hutton writes of the long period of feudal anarchy following the death of King Henry I in 1135, during which Henry's implacable daughter, Mathilda, battled the ineffectual King Stephen. Hutton then describes the turbulent reign of the great King Henry II, the reigns of Kings Richard, John, Henry III, and of the first two Edwards, rulers who whether weak or strong, rigid or resourceful, were grimly opposed by their powerful barons. - Summary by Pamela Nagami

Shakespeare’s famous second Henriad reaches its thrilling conclusion in this chronicle of King Henry V’s spirited leadership over his country—a Henry who is a far cry from the prodigal prince who we saw in Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2. Now grown up and more mature than he was in his youth, Henry V is persuaded by the English clergy that he has an ancestral claim to the French throne, and when France’s haughty Dauphin facetiously rebuffs him with a gift of tennis balls, Henry orders his troops to invade French lands and begin another violent and costly war. Thus ensues one of ...

This sequel and third entry of the Henriad immediately follows the events of Henry IV, Part 1 and the aftermath of the Battle of Shrewsbury, which saw the Percys’ rebellion against the King quashed and its leader, Hotspur, killed in combat with the Prince of Wales. Upon hearing of Hotspur’s death, his father, the Earl of Northumberland, vows to avenge him, and unites with the Archbishop of York and other discontented nobles to continue the civil unrest. Meanwhile, the boastful knight Falstaff—having emerged from Shrewsbury with greater wealth and repute—resumes his drunken ...

Henry Stuart’s life is the last great forgotten Jacobean tale. Shadowed by the gravity of the Thirty Years’ War and the huge changes taking place across Europe in seventeenth-century society, economy, politics and empire, his life was visually and verbally gorgeous. NOW THE SUBJECT OF BBC2...

Step back into the tumultuous world of Shakespeares Henriad with the enthralling sequel to Henry IV, Part 1. Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Battle of Shrewsbury, this gripping tale follows the Earl of Northumberland as he seeks vengeance for his son Hotspurs death at the hands of Prince Hal. As discontent brews among the nobles, Falstaff—now richer and more audacious than ever—continues his drunken escapades in Eastcheap, drawing the ire of Mistress Quickly and the affections of Doll Tearsheet. Meanwhile, Prince Hal grapples with his fathers declining health and the ...

This book is an engaging compilation of experiences that Mr. Le Queux has had in his life, and states in the preface that his goal was "to take my reader behind the scenes of some particular phases of life with which he may be unfamiliar." - Summary by swmom17

A podcast featuring interviews with people who write music. How do composers start new pieces? How do they take an idea and develop into a work of art? In Remain Composed, we meet people writing different kinds of music, at different stages in their careers, to find out what influences them and how their processes work.

In this BBC full-cast production, King Lear tests his three daughters' love, with disastrous consequences. Some of the most stirring scenes Shakespeare ever wrote resonate powerfully in this dramatic radio production. Tortured madness, pure evil, and the fatal struggle for power grip the...

King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished.This LibriVox recording marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the play, on December 26th 1606. (Summary by David Barnes)LibriVox trivia….. This entire project was completed in just a week, from ...

King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished.This LibriVox recording marks the 400th anniversary of the first performance of the play, on December 26th 1606. (Summary by David Barnes)LibriVox trivia….. This entire project was completed in just a week, from ...

The Tragedy of King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king. It has been widely adapted for the stage and motion pictures, and the role of Lear has been coveted and played by many of the world's most accomplished actors. The play was written between 1603 and 1606 and later revised. Shakespeare's earlier version, The True ...

Dive into the captivating world of Shakespeares Richard II, often heralded by scholars as the first act in the sweeping saga of the Henriad. This play offers a profound exploration of the nature of monarchy, illustrating the transition from the divine right of kings to a more politically savvy approach. Shakespeare presents Richard as a tragic figure, whose failures as a ruler are starkly highlighted through his mishandling of a judicial duel and his unscrupulous seizing of funds for an Irish campaign. In stark contrast stands Henry Bolingbroke, the cunning opportunist who gathers enough ...

Dive into the tumultuous reign of John, King of England, in William Shakespeares powerful history play, The Life and Death of King John. This gripping drama, believed to have been penned in the mid-1590s and published in the First Folio of 1623, chronicles the life of John Lackland, who ruled from 1199 until his death in 1216. As the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Johns rule was marked by the catastrophic loss of Normandy to King Philip II of France in 1204, leading to the disintegration of the Angevin Empire and the rise of the Capetian dynasty. The latter part of Johns reign ...

In the aftermath of Richard IIs downfall, Shakespeares captivating Henriad unfolds with King Henry IV, Part 1, a play rich in political intrigue and personal conflict. As King Henry IV grapples with a growing divide between himself and the rebellious Percys, tensions escalate when young Hotspur confronts him over the fate of ransomed prisoners from a recent battle. The Percys, in collaboration with the Welsh and Scots, plot their uprising against the throne. Meanwhile, Henry’s wayward son, Prince Hal, is lost in a world of taverns and highwaymen, finding companionship in the roguish Sir John...

Step into the world of Shakespeare’s iconic second Henriad as we witness the thrilling journey of King Henry V, a leader whose evolution from the carefree prince of Henry IV to a determined monarch is nothing short of remarkable. Persuaded by the English clergy of his ancestral claim to the French throne, Henry faces the haughty Dauphins mockery, symbolized by a gift of tennis balls. In response, he boldly commands the invasion of France, igniting a fierce and costly conflict that becomes the backdrop for one of Shakespeare’s most patriotic narratives. Through Henry, we explore the themes ...

Dive into the captivating world of The Reign of King Edward the Third, an Elizabethan play printed anonymously in 1596. Often attributed, at least in part, to the genius of William Shakespeare, this play showcases the dramatic flair of the era, with scholars increasingly supporting its Shakespearean connection, while Thomas Kyd likely contributed to its creation. The narrative is rich with jabs at Scotland and its people, which sparked protests from Queen Elizabeths agent in Edinburgh, revealing the contentious nature of its portrayal. The play was notably excluded from the First Folio ...

King Henry IV, Part 1 is the second of Shakespeare’s eight Wars of the Roses history plays, with events following those of King Richard II. As the play opens, King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke) and Henry Percy (Hotspur) argue over the disposition of prisoners from the Battle of Holmedon. The King’s attitude toward Mortimer and the Percy family prompts them to plot rebellion. In the meantime, his son Prince Hal is living the low life in the company of Sir John Falstaff. As the time of battle nears, Prince Hal joins his father and is given a high command. The play’s climax is the ...