King Philip of France threatens war if the tyrannical King John of England won’t abdicate his throne. In this history play, Shakespeare explores themes of inheritance in the figure of Philip the Bastard (illegitimate son of the late King Richard); medieval women’s (albeit limited) political influence in the characters of Eleanor and Constance; and double-dealing through Hubert’s conflicts over John’s orders for Hubert to kill John’s own nephew, Arthur, whom the French would like to see crowned King of England. This Shakescleare modern English translation of King John makes Shakespeare’s play more accessible to all readers, allowing you to uncover some of its most significant lines, including “new-made honor doth forget men’s names”