# King John — Character guide

> Key figures in King John by William Shakespeare.

- [King John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/king_john.md): The English king whose disputed claim to the throne drives the play's conflict.
- [Philip Faulconbridge (the Bastard)](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/the_bastard.md): The illegitimate son of Richard the Lionheart; a witty, loyal, and blunt-spoken commentator.
- [Arthur, Duke of Bretagne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/arthur.md): John's young nephew and rival claimant to the English throne.
- [Constance](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/constance.md): Arthur's mother, fiercely advocating for her son's right to the throne.
- [Queen Elinor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/queen_elinor.md): John's mother, a shrewd and powerful political figure.
- [Hubert de Burgh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/hubert.md): John's loyal but conflicted servant tasked with guarding Arthur.
- [Lewis the Dauphin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/lewis_the_dauphin.md): The French Dauphin who invades England at the Pope's urging.
- [King Philip of France](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/king_philip.md): The French king who supports Arthur's claim and later makes peace with John.
- [Cardinal Pandulph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/pandulph.md): The papal legate who manipulates both kings for the Church's interests.
- [Earl of Salisbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/salisbury.md): An English nobleman who eventually rebels against King John.
- [Earl of Pembroke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/pembroke.md): An English lord who pressures John to crown Arthur.
- [Robert Faulconbridge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/robert_faulconbridge.md): The legitimate son of Sir Robert Faulconbridge, who disputes his brother's inheritance.
- [Lady Faulconbridge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/lady_faulconbridge.md): Mother of the Bastard and Robert, who reveals the Bastard's true parentage.
- [Blanch of Spain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/blanch.md): John's niece, married to the Dauphin to seal a peace treaty.
- [Prince Henry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/prince_henry.md): John's son, who becomes king after John's death.
- [Count Melun](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/count_melun.md): A French nobleman who warns the English rebels of the Dauphin's treachery.
- [Peter of Pomfret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/peter_of_pomfret.md): A prophet who predicts John's downfall and is executed.
- [Duke of Austria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/austria.md): An ally of France who wears the lion's skin of Richard the Lionheart.
- [Geffrey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters/geffrey.md): John's deceased elder brother, father of Arthur.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/characters