The opening of Act I, Scene I — KING JOHN'S palace
Enter KING JOHN, QUEEN ELINOR, PEMBROKE, ESSEX, SALISBURY,
and others, with CHATILLON.[1]K. John. Now, say, Chatillon, what would France with us?
Chat. Thus, after greeting, speaks the King of France
In my behaviour to the majesty,
The borrowed majesty, of England here.[2]Eli. A strange beginning: 'borrowed majesty!'[2] 5
K. John. Silence, good mother; hear the embassy.
Chat. Philip of France, in right and true behalf
Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son,[3]
Arthur Plantagenet, lays most lawful claim[4]
To this fair island and the territories, 10
To Ireland, Poictiers, Anjou, Touraine, Maine,[5]
Desiring thee to lay aside the sword
Which sways usurpingly these several titles,
And put the same into young Arthur's hand,
Thy nephew and right royal sovereign. 15