King John · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in King John by William Shakespeare.
King John
major
Also known as John, King John Hubert, King John Sirrah, King John Nay, King John Ay, King John O, King John Silence, King John Why, King John Bear, King John Bedlam, King John Coz, King John Cousin, King John Doth Arthur, King John From henceforth, King John In us, King John Death, King John France
The English king whose disputed claim to the throne drives the play's conflict.
Philip Faulconbridge (the Bastard)
major
Also known as Bastard, Richard, Philip, Plantagenet, young Plantagenet, sir Richard, good Philip, Bastard Hubert, Bastard The French, Bastard The Dauphin, Bastard Philip, Bastard Ha, Bastard Go, Bastard Bell, Bastard Brother, Bastard James Gurney, Bastard Saint George
The illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart; a witty, loyal, and blunt-spoken commentator.
Arthur, Duke of Bretagne
major
Also known as Young Arthur, Arthur Hubert, Arthur O, Arthur Alas, Arthur God, Arthur Good morrow, Arthur Plantagenet, Arthur of Bretagne
John's young nephew and rival claimant to the English throne.
Constance
major
Also known as the Lady Constance, Lady Constance, Constance O, Constance O Lewis, ambitious Constance, Constance Ay, Constance Lo
Arthur's mother, fiercely advocating for her son's right to the throne.
Queen Elinor
supporting
Also known as Elinor, Elinor Son, Elinor Nay
John's mother, a shrewd and powerful political figure.
Hubert de Burgh
supporting
Also known as Hubert Lords, Hubert Peace, Hubert O, Hubert Old men, Arthur Hubert, Lord Bigot, Bigot
John's loyal but conflicted servant tasked with guarding Arthur.
Lewis the Dauphin
supporting
Also known as Lewis, Lewis Nay, Lewis Before Angiers, Lewis Outside, Lewis Well, Lewis Strong reasons, the Dauphin, Dauphin, noble Dauphin, O noble Dauphin
The French Dauphin who invades England at the Pope's urging.
King Philip of France
supporting
Also known as Philip, King Philip England, King Philip Brother of England, King Philip Peace, King Philip O, King Philip Patience, King Philip of France, King Philip Lewis, Austria King Philip
The French king who supports Arthur's claim and later makes peace with John.
Cardinal Pandulph
supporting
Also known as Pandulph, Pandulph Lady, Enter Pandulph, The Cardinal Pandulph, Pandulph The Dauphin
The papal legate who manipulates both kings for the Church's interests.
Earl of Salisbury
supporting
Also known as Salisbury, Lord Salisbury, Salisbury The Count Melun, Salisbury Wounded, Salisbury Sir Richard, Salisbury O
An English nobleman who eventually rebels against King John.
Earl of Pembroke
minor
Also known as Pembroke, Pembroke Bigot, Pembroke There
An English lord who pressures John to crown Arthur.
Robert Faulconbridge
minor
Also known as Robert, old sir Robert, sir Robert, Robert Faulconbridge
The legitimate son of Sir Robert Faulconbridge, who disputes his brother's inheritance.
Lady Faulconbridge
minor
Also known as Lady Faulconbridge Sir Robert, Lady Faulconbridge King Richard Cœur-de-lion
Mother of the Bastard and Robert, who reveals the Bastard's true parentage.
Blanch of Spain
minor
Also known as the Lady Blanch of Spain, Lady Blanch, the Lady Blanch
John's niece, married to the Dauphin to seal a peace treaty.
Prince Henry
minor
Also known as Prince Henry
John's son, who becomes king after John's death.
Count Melun
minor
Also known as Melun, Melun Fly, The Count Melun
A French nobleman who warns the English rebels of the Dauphin's treachery.
Peter of Pomfret
minor
Also known as Peter, Peter of Pomfret
A prophet who predicts John's downfall and is executed.
James Gurney
minor
Also known as James Gurney, Gurney, James
A servant to Lady Faulconbridge.
Duke of Austria
minor
Also known as Austria, Austria Peace
An ally of France who wears the lion's skin of Richard the Lionheart.
Geffrey
minor
Also known as Geffrey
John's deceased elder brother, father of Arthur.
