126 distressful devastating, ruinous
127 suffer permit
128 liegemen loyal followers
130 tribute (usually annual) payment made as an act of homage 134 coronet small crown worn by members of the nobility 136 but only
137 proffer proposal, offer
139 Gallian French
140 reverenced for held in respect as
141 lucre acquisition, gain
141 the rest remaining territories (that are) 146 cast excluded, driven
149 compromise resolution
150 upon comparison by insisting on comparing your current state with the one you are being offered/on comparing our position to yours 152 Of benefit out of generosity/as a benefaction 153 challenge of desert claim based on merit
156 cavil dispute, raise quibbling objections
157 neglected disregarded, underestimated
163 compact agreement, contract
165 condition terms of agreement
167 reserved with the sole reservation that
168 towns of garrison fortified towns
174 ensigns military banners
175 entertain accept, receive
Act 5 Scene 5
5.5 Location: the royal court, London
4 settled rooted, firmly entrenched
5 rigour the harshness
6 Provokes impels
6 hulk large vessel
11 her worthy praise praise of her true worth
15 conceit imagination
17 full fully
18 lowliness meekness
25 flatter gloss over, mitigate
27 lady of esteem i.e. the daughter of the Earl of Armagnac (see Act 5 Scene 1) 28 contract betrothal
29 reproach disgrace, shame
31 triumph jousting tournament
32 lists designated combat arena
35 be broke broken off with
42 confirm strengthen, entrench
46 warrant guarantee
47 Where whereas
56 attorneyship legal practices, negotiations between lawyers 57 will want
57 affects loves, prefers
61 preferred put forward, recommended, promoted
65 pattern model
68 feature physical appearance
69 Approves proves
72 issue ... king giving a child to the king/giving birth to the future king 75 resolve constancy, courage, resolution
80 for that because
81 attaint touched, affected
84 dissension conflict
87 post hurry
88 procure ensure, contrive
91 anointed marked with holy oil, the sign of monarchy 92 charge money to spend
93 tenth a tax of ten percent on income or property 96 offence hostility, opposition
97 censure judge (not necessarily negatively)
97 what you were i.e. your own youthful impulsiveness 100 from company alone
101 revolve and ruminate consider, meditate on
101 grief anxieties/love melancholy (Gloucester then intensifies the sense) 104 Paris ... Greece in Greek legend, Paris' abduction of the beautiful Helen, wife of the king of Troy, provoked the devastating Trojan war with the Greeks 105 like event same outcome
Act 1 Scene 1
1.1 Location: the royal court, London
1.1 Flourish trumpet fanfare accompanying a person in authority 1.1 hautboys oboelike instruments 2 had in charge was commanded
2 depart departure
3 procurator to deputy, representative for
4 marry i.e. by proxy on the king's behalf 4 for on behalf of
5 Tours a city southwest of Orleans, located at the junction of the Rivers Cher and Loire 6 Sicil Sicily
7 Calaber Calabria, a region of southern Italy
7 Bretagne Brittany
9 espoused married
14 shadow image, reflection
15 happiest most fortunate
15 marquis i.e. Suffolk
18 kinder more natural, affectionate
23 sympathy harmony, mutual feeling
25 mutual conference intimate conversation
27 beads i.e. prayers, said over a Catholic rosary (beads used as prompts in the reciting of prayers) 28 alderliefest most beloved
29 salute address/greet
30 wit skill, intellect
30 ruder unaccomplished, unpolished
31 minister supply, provide
32 Her sight the sight of her
33 yclad decked out, clothed
34 wond'ring marveling, admiring
39 Protector surrogate ruler of the realm, while the new king was too young to reign (Henry VI had inherited the throne as a baby) 39 so if
40 articles terms, conditions
40 contracted formally agreed
42 concluded resolved, settled
43 Imprimis "in the first place" (Latin) 48 ere before
49 Item "likewise" (Latin)
53 qualm sudden feeling of nausea/fit of misgiving 54 that so that
55 Uncle technically, Henry's great-uncle
58 of at
59 proper personal
63 gird invest (with the title)
64 Cousin a common form of address used among nobles 65 regent one who rules in the king's absence
67 full fully
71 entertainment hospitality princely royal 72 provide prepare
74 Brave noble, splendid/valiant
77 Henry i.e. Henry V
79 lodge dwell, sleep
83 policy skillful political strategy
88 Council i.e. the Privy Council of the king's ministers and advisers 91 awe subjection, dread
96 counsel advice, plans
97 league union, alliance
98 fame honor, reputations
100 Razing erasing
100 characters written records
101 monuments records, memorials
102 as as though
104 peroration rhetorical speech
104 circumstance elaborate details
110 large style grand title
112 him ... all i.e. Christ
114 wherefore why
122 Mort Dieu! "God's death!" (a French oath) 123 For as for
123 suffocate suffocated (puns on Suffolk) 125 rent ripped up
130 match marry
130 vantages advantages, assets
131 proper fine, resounding
132 fifteenth tax of one-fifteenth of the value of income or property 136 hot angry, worked up
137 pleasure will, desire
143 ancient former, long-standing
144 Lordings my lords
150 next of blood next in line (to the throne; Henry VI does not, at this point, have children, and Gloucester is his father's brother) 153 wealthy ... west i.e. Spanish possessions in the Americas (an anachronism) 155 smoothing flattering, ingratiating, plausible 162 flattering gloss deceptively attractive appearance 165 He i.e. Henry VI
169 brook tolerate
170 presently immediately
173 haughty proud, aspiring
175 Than than that of
177 Or either
179 Pride i.e. the cardinal
179 ambition i.e. Buckingham and Somerset 180 preferment advancement
181 Behoves it it is appropriate for
182 I ... but I have always seen that 183 him himself
186 as as if
186 stout arrogant, haughty
187 demean behave, conduct
190 plainness openness, frankness
190 housekeeping hospitality
192 Excepting none but with the exception only of that shown to 193 brother brother-in-law (York was married to Salisbury's sister, Cecily Neville) 195 late recent
199 bridle control, restrain
202 cherish encourage, nurture
203 tend promote, encourage, tend to
205 common communal, general
206 cause i.e. as one with a claim to the throne 207 look ... main see to the most important busin
ess at hand (from the dice game of hazard where the "main" was the successful throw) 208 Maine French province lost as part of the recent treaty 209 main sheer
215 tickle precarious
216 concluded settled, decided
218 change exchange
220 thine your inheritance (York addresses himself) 221 make ... pillage barter their booty for virtually nothing 222 purchase friends i.e. through such generosity 222 courtesans prostitutes; plays on the original meaning "one attached to the court of a prince"
223 Still continually
224 While as while
224 silly helpless
225 hapless unfortunate
226 trembling frightened
226 aloof to one side (unable to intervene) 228 Ready about
232 proportion relation
234 Althaea ... Calydon in Greek mythology, it was prophesied that Meleager, Prince of Calydon, would only live for as long as a log burned in the fire; his mother, Althaea, snatched the brand out, but cast it back into the flames when, years later, Meleager killed her brothers 239 Nevilles' i.e. Salisbury and Warwick's 242 mark target
243 Lancaster i.e. Henry VI
244 childish Henry was only nine months old when he was crowned 245 diadem crown
246 church-like humours pious disposition
247 still quiet, patient
247 time do serve an opportunity arises
248 Watch remain awake/be on guard
250 surfeiting overindulging
251 dear-bought expensive, obtained at too high a price 252 at jars into conflict, discord
253 milk-white rose emblem of the House of York 255 standard military banner, battle flag
256 grapple struggle, wrestle
257 force perforce through violence, by compulsion 258 bookish studious (perhaps with particular reference to religious texts) Act 1 Scene 2
1.2 Location: the residence of the Duke of Gloucester
2 Ceres Roman goddess of agriculture and the harvest 4 As as though
5 sullen drab, somber, dull in color
8 Enchased adorned, decorated as with jewels
9 grovel lie facedown, prostrate
12 is't is your arm
16 vouchsafe allow
18 canker infection, ulcer
19 imagine ill formulate evil plans
21 breathing breath
22 this night last night
23 requite repay, recompense
24 rehearsal recounting morning's dream according to popular belief, morning dreams were supposed to tell the truth 25 staff formal rod of office
25 office-badge badge of office
26 twain two
32 an argument proof, evidence
33 breaks ... grove i.e. damages Gloucester in the slightest 35 list listen
38 chair throne
41 chide rebuke
42 ill-nurtured ill-mannered, poorly bred
44 of by
46 compass scope, limit
47 hammering thinking insistently on/devising
51 choleric angry (choler was one of the four bodily humors thought to govern temperament) 52 but only
54 checked scolded
57 St Albans town about twenty-five miles north of London 58 Where as where
58 hawk hunt with trained hawks
60 presently immediately/shortly
62 base unambitious, lowly
67 pageant spectacle, entertainment
68 Sir conventional form of address for clergymen 71 grace the correct term of address for a duchess 73 multiplied amplified, increased
75 cunning skilled in magic
76 conjurer magician, one who conjures spirits 81 propounded asked of, put to
88 Marry by the Virgin Mary
89 mum silence
93 flies that flies, comes
93 coast quarter, source
97 aspiring humour ambitious frame of mind
99 buzz whisper
99 conjurations incantations
100 broker agent, go-between
102 go near come close
105 wrack wreck, ruin
106 attainture conviction for treason
107 Sort ... will however it falls out
Act 1 Scene 3
1.3 Location: the royal court, London Petitioners those with formal requests to make to those in authority 1.3 armourer's man servant or apprentice to a maker of armor 1 My masters gentlemen
1 close near one another as a group
3 in the quill as a group; possibly "in their written forms"
4 protect plays on the title of Lord Protector
6 a he
10 wouldst do you want
15 an't if it
16 man servant, agent
21 enclosing the commons fencing in common land available to all and converting it to private use 30 forsooth in truth
33 pursuivant state messenger with the power to execute warrants 37 sue to entreat
38 cullions rogues, wretches
40 guise manner, style
41 fashions customs, practices
43 Albion ancient name for England
46 style mode of address, formal title
48 Pole de la Pole, Suffolk's family name
49 ran'st a-tilt took part in a jousting tournament 52 proportion physical form
53 bent directed
54 number count
54 Ave-Maries Hail Marys, prayers frequently recited over a rosary 54 beads rosary
55 champions most admired combatants/defenders, those who fight on behalf of another 56 saws sayings, maxims
57 tilt-yard tournament ground
58 brazen images bronze statues
59 college ... cardinals highest council of the Catholic Church, responsible for electing new Popes 61 triple crown i.e. the crown worn by the Pope 62 state status
62 his holiness plays on the Pope's official title 65 work enable, effect
69 not ... But even the least of them 72 simple ordinary, humble
75 sweeps it parades, struts
77 Strangers foreigners
78 bears ... back i.e. dresses in a magnificent style 78 revenues wealth, income
81 Contemptuous contemptible/scornful
81 callet whore
82 vaunted boasted
82 minions favorites
83 worst wearing most unfashionable
84 better worth worth more
85 Till ... daughter before Suffolk handed over two dukedoms (Anjou and Maine) as part of the dowry from Henry VI 86 limed a bush created a trap (from the process of smearing twigs with birdlime, a sticky substance used to catch birds) 87 enticing birds i.e. decoys
88 light alight lays songs
92 fancy favor, incline to
95 late complaint i.e. Peter's allegation that his master said York was the rightful heir to the throne 96 make ... benefit do him little service
97 weed uproot, weed out
97 sennet trumpet call signaling a procession 100 Or either
101 ill demeaned badly conducted
102 regentship position of ruling in France on the king's behalf 108 field battlefield
109 presence royal reception chamber, presence of the king 115 censure judgment, opinion
120 leave stop, give up
123 dauphin title of the French king's eldest son, heir to the throne (here used to refer to Charles VII as the English considered Henry VI the rightful king of France) 123 prevailed gained in strength and influence 125 bondmen slaves
126 racked ruined, exhausted (through taxation) 126 bags moneybags
127 lank shrunken
129 treasury money
133 offices official functions, positions
134 suspect suspicion
135 hop ... head be beheaded, executed
136 minion hussy, servant
137 cry you mercy beg your pardon (sarcastic) 140 set ... commandments i.e. scratch with my fingernails 141 against her will unintentional, a mistake 142 Look to't beware
143 hamper obstruct
, fetter
143 dandle pamper, pet
144 most master the greatest master (i.e. the queen) 147 listen after watch out for
148 tickled vexed, provoked
153 objections accusations
158 meetest the most suitable
160 election choice
160 give me leave permit me
164 for ... pride because my self-respect will not allow me to flatter you/because I cannot flatter your pride 167 discharge payment
167 furniture military equipment
171 fouler fact more wicked deed, crime
174 Image embodiment
177 for of being
178 what who
185 An't if it
188 ten bones i.e. fingers
189 garret turret, watch tower
190 scouring cleaning
191 mechanical manual worker, laborer
196 prentice apprentice
196 correct punish
202 doom judgment, sentence
204 this i.e. the business involving Peter and Horner 206 convenient appropriate, suitable
215 Sirrah sir (used to an inferior) or either Act 1 Scene 4
1.4 Location: the residence of the Duke of Gloucester
3 therefore provided equipped to that end
4 exorcisms conjuring up of spirits aloft i.e. on the upper staging level or gallery 13 said done gear business, matter 17 Troy ... fire under cover of darkness the city of Troy was set on fire and destroyed by the Greeks, who had entered the city concealed in the Trojan horse 18 screech-owls barn owls, so-named from their discordant cry and considered birds of ill omen bandogs fierce tied-up watchdogs 19 up open, out of
22 make fast secure, restrain
22 hallowed verge magic circle
22 belonging necessary, appropriate 'Conjuro te' "I conjure you" (Latin; the beginning of an invocation) Asnath an anagram of "Sathan," i.e. Satan 22 riseth presumably through a trapdoor 23 Adsum "I am here" (Latin)
26 that that which
28 that i.e. would that (I wish that)
37 mounted situated on a mount
40 False treacherous
40 avoid be gone
41 trash rubbish, paraphernalia
42 Beldam hag, witch
42 at an inch very closely
44 piece of pains trouble you have taken
46 guerdoned rewarded
46 deserts deserving deeds
48 Injurious insulting
48 threatest threatens
50 clapped up close securely locked up
51 asunder apart
52 to with
53 trinkets trifles, rubbish (used for conjuring) 53 all forthcoming safe and ready to be produced as evidence in court 56 pretty artful, cunning plot scheme/plot of land 57 devil's writ as opposed to "holy writ," i.e. Scripture 61 just exactly
62 'Aio ... posse' words spoken by the oracle at Delphi to Pyrrhus when he asked whether he would conquer Rome; they may be interpreted to mean either "I proclaim that you, the descendant of Aeacus, can conquer the Romans" or "I proclaim that the Romans can conquer you, the descendant of Aeacus"
71 hardly attained obtained with difficulty
72 hardly barely
73 in progress on a state journey or procession 78 post messenger
81 sup take supper
81 severally separately
Act 2 Scene 1
2.1 Location: St. Albans (a town about twenty-five miles north of London)