Plays
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2009
Summary
Albion Knight (fragment)
DATE, AUTHORSHIP AND AUSPICES
1537–66 (SR 1565 c. Aug.); anonymous; auspices unknown; Greg 38
TEXT AND EDITIONS
Extant originals
1566? printing by Thomas Colwell: Huntington (fragment: six leaves); STC 275
Editions
1994 CHD (CD-Rom and online transcription of Colwell printing, l.l., OS)
1907 Greg (1907b) (OS)*
1906 Farmer (4) (n.l., NS)
1844 Collier (n.l., OS)
SOURCES
No sources have been identified.
CHARACTERS
Injury Justice Albion Division The following are also mentioned but do not appear in the fragment of the play that is extant:
Principality Maintenance Old Debate Dame Plenty Peace Rest Double Device
PLOT SUMMARY
The fragment begins (not the start of the play) with Injury(as Manhood) arguing that one cannot judge a person by appearance, whereas Justice says that frivolous apparel betokens want of discretion. Albion Knight, representing England, intervenes to reconcile them. Injury then argues that the law favours the monarchy rather than the subjects, and the temporal lords rather than the lords spiritual. Albion is alarmed by this and Justice agrees that if this is the case, it should be reformed. Once Albion and Justice have departed, however, Injury in a ‘boasting’ speech reveals his true identity as a Vice. He declares that his intention is not peace in the kingdom, but rather discord, and that he intends to enlist the help of his friend Division. He goes off in search of Division, who duly arrives with a vaunting speech and heavily armed.
- Type
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- Information
- English Dramatic Interludes, 1300–1580A Reference Guide, pp. 13 - 389Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004