King John by William Shakespeare centers on the early 13th-century reign of King John of England, whose claim to the throne is threatened by international support of his nephew Arthur, who has a stronger claim. Onto the scene comes an illegitimate son of John’s eldest brother, Richard Lionheart, subsequently called the Bastard, who rails against the political maneuverings and the rampant selling-out he witnesses. Family and military tensions lead to a cheesy alliance between England and France, but the interference of papal legate Pandulph with his excommunication of John leads to war between them.

Amidst the battles, John captures Arthur. John’s mother, Queen Eleanor, and Arthur’s mother, Constance, add to the tension with their own ambitions and griefs. John orders Arthur’s death, but Arthur dies, instead, trying to escape.

The English nobles, suspecting foul play in Arthur’s death, turn against John. As internal and external conflicts escalate, John is poisoned by a monk. Before dying, John names his son, Prince Henry, as his successor. Inspired by the Bastard’s patriotic rhetoric, the nobles, realizing the greater threat of the French, rally around the new king, hoping for a more stable future.

Overall, King John questions the meaning of “legitimacy” by portraying the difference between insecure kingship and actual nobility of character.