The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England

English play

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July 16, 2026

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The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England is an earlier, two-part play that served as the source material for William Shakespeare's King John. Written and printed in 1591, it is based on historical chronicles by Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall.1

The play dramatizes the reign of King John of England, focusing on his usurpation of his nephew Arthur's claim to the throne and his conflicts with France and the papacy. Key events include the loss of Normandy, the imposition of an interdict on England by the Pope, and the eventual sealing of the Magna Carta under baronial pressure. The play explores themes of political power, succession, and the king's struggle against internal and external forces.12

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King John
…two-part drama generally known as The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England. This earlier play, first printed in 1591, was based on the chronicles of Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall; Shakespeare also consulted some chronicle materials, as well as John Foxe’s Acts and Monuments (1563), known as
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…two-part drama generally known as The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England. This earlier play, first printed in 1591, was based on the chronicles of Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall; Shakespeare also consulted some chronicle materials, as well as John Foxe’s Acts and Monuments (1563), known as
Read More