THE HECTOR OF GERMANY, or
THE PALSGRAVE, PRIME ELECTOR
circa 1614–1615
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ARTOISE
The Earl of Artoise is a French lord who had betrayed the French in service to the English King Edward. Feeling under-appreciated and insufficiently rewarded by Edward, Artoise plans to doublecross the English at the earliest opportunity. Artoise is jealous of the praise and resources Edward lavishes upon the German Palsgrave. The Bastard hires Artoise to provide safe haven for the Bastard's henchmen Vandome and Mendoza. Artoise agrees to harbor the men until a plot against Edward and the Palsgrave can be devised. In return, the Bastard promises to double his payments to Artoise. Saxon informs Artoise that the double-assassination plot will be executed in France. When the rebels come upon a castaway Young Fitzwaters, Artoise requests that the Saxon take Young Fitzwaters onboard. When Saxon agrees, Artoise leaves the stage to rescue Young Fitzwaters. Artoise and Young Fitswaters kill Vandome and Mendoza in order to hoard the glory of assassinating Edward and the Palsgrave. However, once alone, Young Fitzwaters also slays Artoise and tells him that slaying the henchmen together was a ruse to even the odds. Artoise dies wondering whether Young Fitzwaters will go through with the assassinations or whether he is Edward's double agent.
BASTARD
The Bastard is pretender to the thrones of Spain and Germany. He is in league with Saxon and the Bishops Mentz and Trier against Savoy, Bohemia, the Palsgrave, King Edward and the King of Spain. In his employment are the murderous henchmen Valdome and Mendoza. The Bastard defeats Savoy and Bohemia in battle while the Palsgrave is ill. Saxon repeatedly demands that The Bastard allow him to control the kingdom once The Bastard is crowned. The Bastard agrees at first, although Saxon drops the demand as soon as the Bastard defeats Saxon in a one-on-one fight. The Bastard is crowned Emperor of Germany. After defeating Savoy and Bohemia, the Bastard moves on to invade Spain. When the Palsgrave challenges to fight any pretender to Spain's throne, the Bastard declines the invitation, preferring to fight a full-scale battle instead. During the battle, the Bastard is captured by the Palsgrave and subsequently rescued by Saxon. The Bastard sends Mendoza and Vandome to hatch a plot against the lives of King Edward and the Palsgrave. He also agrees to seek the assistance of King John of France. Young Fitzwaters kills the Bastard's men Artoise, Mendoza and Vandome; in addition, the Queen of France betrays him by allowing the Palsgrave and his men to enter the Bastard's hall dressed as masque dancers. The Bastard is ambushed, arrested and condemned.
BISHOP
A bishop is called to Clynton and Old Fitzwaters after the two fathers have found their offspring together without permission. It is intended that he will marry Old Fitzwaters and Floramell. The bishop helps Old Fitzwaters interpret a dream of being cuckolded. After Old Fitzwaters is left at the altar, the bishop concludes that the dream has come true.
BOHEMIA
The King of Bohemia supports Savoy's claim to the German crown. Bohemia visits Palsgrave in his sickbed and worries aloud for Germany's prospects without a healthy champion. Bohemia has the Palsgrave moved to a more secure castle to recover. Bohemia joins in battle with Savoy against the Bastard and Saxon and is imprisoned for the vast majority of the play. Old Fitzwaters and Clynton free him at the end of the play. Bohemia re-appears on stage to see Savoy crowned Emperor of Germany.
BRANDENBURGH
Marquesse Brandenburgh is loyal to the King of Bohemia and supports Savoy's claim to the German throne. He is captured in battle at the beginning of the play in a skirmish with Saxon and the Bastard. Brandenburgh spends the vast majority of the play imprisoned. Clynton and Old Fitzwaters free him at the end of the play.
CLYNTON
Clynton is an English lord in league with Old Fitzwaters to protect their respective properties by coercing his, Clynton's, daughter Floramell to marry Old Fitzwaters. When Clynton and Old Fitzwaters discover the two young lovers wooing in the garden, Clynton banishes Young Fitzwaters from the house. Clynton does not care that his daughter wants to marry Young Fitzwaters and does not want to marry Old Fitzwaters. Clynton calls for a bishop to come marry his daughter to his friend; however, a Page in Floramell's dress dupes him. Floramell herself escapes with Young Fitzwaters by sea. Clynton and his friend fall out after the aborted wedding. Clynton and Old Fitzwaters blame each other for the calamity and are about to duel when King Edward stops them. He recruits them to assist him in the war. Clynton hosts King Edward and reports to the audience on how well Edward and the Palsgrave performed at the tournament. Clynton is sent with Old Fitzwaters to Germany to free Savoy, Bohemia and Brandenburgh. They are successful and deliver Savoy on stage to be crowned Emperor of Germany. King Edward rules that Young Fitzwaters was betrothed to Floramell before his father and that Floramell should therefore marry Floramell. Clynton and his friend Old Fitzwaters agree to be good fathers-in-law.
CULLEN
Bishop Cullen warns the Palsgrave, Savoy and Bohemia of the impending rebellion by the Bastard, Saxon and Mentz. Cullen delivers the news to Palsgrave that The Bastard has been crowned: Cullen's bad news revives the Palgrave's fighting spirit. Cullen and the Palsgrave meet the King of Spain disguised as Peter the Hermit. Spain recruits Cullen and the Palsgrave to travel to England and recruit the help of King Edward. Cullen is with the Palsgrave when he, the Palsgrave, challenges the Bastard and Saxon to a duel. Cullen assists the Palsgrave and Peter in beating off Saxon and the Bishops and arresting the Bastard. Saxon soon after returns and chases off Cullen and Peter; thereby rescuing the Bastard. Cullen is soundly chastised by the Palsgrave for letting Saxon and The Bastard escape. Cullen accompanies the Palsgrave to King Edward's court in England. The Palsgrave later sends Cullen with a defiant message for the Bastard in France. Cullen disguises himself in a masque costume to successfully ambush the rebels in the final battle of the play. Cullen announces the victorious arrival of Old Fitzwaters and Clynton: the lords had rescued the Brandenburgh, Savoy and Bavaria.
EDWARD
King Edward of England is recruited by the Palsgrave on behalf of the rightful King of Spain to assist the Palsgrave in opposing The Bastard and Saxon. The military firepower Edward brings with him to the conflict motivates the Bastard and Saxon to recruit King John of France to their side. Edward goes disguised to Clynton's house on the day of Floramell's supposed wedding to Old Fitzwaters. Edward prevents the two fathers, Clynton and Old Fitzwaters, from killing each other after the wedding is called off. Edward recruits the men into foreign service against The Bastard. It is reported that Edward is the only horseman successful against the Palsgrave at a tournament. Edward is insulted by France's involvement in the conflict. John sends Edward a letter warning Edward to stay out of the fight between the Bastard and Savoy. Edward is puzzled by the warning on account of the fact that England had so recently bullied France in battle. Before leaving for France to throttle the Bastard, Edward makes the Palsgrave the first foreign inductee into the Order of the Garter. Upon arriving in France, Edward demands a meeting with John. Edward sends Old Fitzwaters and Clynton to Germany to free the German heir Savoy, the King of Bohemia and the Marquesse Brandenburgh. With the assistance of the French Queen, Edward and his men infiltrate the enemy compound, ambush their foes and place all of the villains under arrest. At the end of the play, King Edward rules that Young Fitzwaters was betrothed to Floramell before Old Fitzwaters; as a consequence, Edward declares that Floramell should marry Young Fitzwaters.
ENGLISH TRAVELER
The English Traveler is a fool hired by the Queen of France to testify against Floramell in return for payment. The English Traveler is hired with a French traveler. While they wait for the Queen to give them their assignment, the two men exchange bawdy stereotypical jokes involving the sexual habits of a variety of nationalities. When the Queen pays the travelers, they immediately go and spend all of their money on alcohol. They are both blind drunk when they are called to testify against Floramell and their presence is useless to the Queen. The two travelers are ejected from the court unceremoniously.
FLORAMELL
Floramell is Clynton's daughter, Old Fitzwaters's intended bride, King John's victim of harassment, the French Queen's source of murderous jealousy and last, but not least, Young Fitzwaters' true love. Floramell regularly meets her suitor Young Fitzwaters in her father's garden, assisted by her Page and Young Fitzwaters's Steward. The Steward betrays the pair; as a result, Clynton and Old Fitzwaters find them together. The two fathers are infuriated since they had struck a bargain, without Floramell's consent, arranging a marriage between Floramell and Old Fitzwaters. Floramell escapes to the sea by dressing her Page in her wedding gown and sending him to the wedding in her place. Unfortunately, the lovers' ship sinks. They are both saved; however, they are separated and both fear that the other is dead. Floramell is offered refuge by the French court. At the court, she assumes the name Infortuna. She immediately suspects King John of inappropriate intentions. Her fears are well founded, as the King repeatedly accosts Floramell and asks her to become his mistress or new bride. He offers to kill the Queen in exchange for Floramell's love. The Queen suspects an affair and confronts Floramell. The Queen employs spies to watch the young woman. Spies are present when the King is able to coerce a single kiss from Floramell. The Queen takes the kiss as proof of adultery and hires an unsuspecting Young Fitzwaters to arrest Floramell. Floramell convinces Young Fitzwaters of her innocence and frees herself from doubt about Young Fitzwaters' relationship with the Queen. When confronted by the Queen with drunken travelers paid for deceitful testimonies, the King swears that Floramell is innocent, thereby clearing her name. At the end of the play, King Edward rules that Young Fitzwaters was betrothed to Floramell before his father and that Floramell should therefore marry Young Fitzwaters.
FRENCH TRAVELER
The French Traveler is a fool hired by the Queen of France to testify against Floramell in return for payment. The French traveler is hired with an English traveler. While they wait for the Queen to give them their assignment, the two men exchange bawdy stereotypical jokes involving the sexual habits of a variety of nationalities. When the Queen pays the travelers, they immediately go and spend all of their money on alcohol. They are both blind drunk when they are called to testify against Floramell and their presence is useless to the Queen. The two travelers are ejected from the court unceremoniously.
HERALD
An English Herald informs Edward that the preparations are complete for the Palsgrave's induction into the Order of the Garter.
INFORTUNA
Infortuna is the name Floramell (q.v.) assumes after her shipwreck upon France's shore. She takes the name Infortuna to suggest her unfortunate fate: she believes her true love Young Fitzwaters had been killed in the shipwreck.
JOHN
King John of France is recruited by the Bastard and Saxon to dissuade King Edward of England's involvement in the war between the Bastard and Savoy over the throne of Germany. John agrees to support the Bastard in an attempt to mend France's pride, having been recently pummeled by the English in battle. John remembers being placed on public display by Edward. When Floramell is cast upon France's shore, John and the Queen offer to take the young woman into their care. John is instantly sized by lust and devotes himself to bedding Floramell. He offers to kill the Queen in order to make a place for Floramell. When Floramell refuses, John physically threatens her, thereby coercing a single kiss. When the Queen confronts Floramell and charges the young woman with being a whore, John regains his senses and clears Floramell's good name. When Floramell is indicted for adultery with the king; John clears her name by confessing his misdeeds. After the Palsgrave slays Saxon in a duel, John recognizes the rightfulness of Savoy's claim to the throne; therefore, John withdraws his support of the Bastard and orders him to surrender the throne to Savoy.
MENDOZA
Mendoza is a murderous henchman in service to the Bastard and partnered with Vandome. The Bastard reports that Mendoza can "poison, stabs and lie in wait" expertly. Mendoza agrees to travel to France to assist in a plot to assassinate King Edward of England and the Palsgrave. Mendoza and Vandome meet Artoise in France and bribe the French Lord to offer them a center for their treacherous operations. Artoise reports that Mendoza and Vandome are suspected of killing the last emperor. Mendoza and Vandome are paired with Artoise and Young Fitzwaters in the plot to assassinate King Edward and the Palsgrave. Mendoza and Vandome are double-crossed and killed by Artoise and Young Fitzwaters.
MENTZ
Bishop Mentz enters into league with The Bastard and Saxon against Palsgrave and the Duke of Savoy at the beginning of the play. Mentz encourages the Bastard's imperial ambitions. After The Bastard and Saxon struggle for power within the rebellion, Mentz attempts to reconcile the two collaborators. The Bastard strikes Mentz for seeking peace between himself and Saxon. The Palsgrave, Peter and Cullen beat Mentz off the stage. After the rescue, Mentz and Trier give up trying to foster peace between the Bastard and Saxon and decide to let the men fight instead. King John of France sends Mentz with Trier to the English court. John warns Edward not to interfere in the battle between Savoy and the Bastard. When the ship he is on finds the castaway Young Fitzwaters, Mentz suggests that the young man is from a noble house and should be saved. Near the conclusion of the play, Palsgrave's cohorts, disguised in costumes from a masque, ambush Mentz and his fellow rebels. Mentz is imprisoned and condemned.
MESSENGER
A messenger appears on stage to present King Edward with a letter from Palsgrave. The letter details Savoy and Bavaria's defeat by the Bastard and Saxon.
OLD FITZWATERS
Old Fitzwaters is an English lord in league with Clynton to protect their respective properties by coercing Clynton's daughter Floramell to marry Old Fitzwaters. When Old Fitzwaters and Clynton discover the two young lovers wooing in the garden, Clynton banishes Young Fitzwaters from the house. At his supposed wedding, Old Fitzwaters is duped by a Page in Floramell's dress. Floramell herself escapes with Young Fitzwaters by sea. Old Fitzwaters and his friend Clynton fall out after the aborted wedding. They blame each other for the calamity and are about to duel when King Edward stops them. Edward recruits them to assist him in the war against The Bastard. Old Fitzwaters and Clynton report to the audience on how well Edward and the Palsgrave perform at the tournament. Old Fitzwaters and Clynton are sent to Germany to free Savoy, Bohemia and Brandenburgh. They are successful and deliver Savoy on stage to be crowned Emperor of Germany. King Edward rules that Young Fitzwaters was betrothed to Floramell before his father and that Floramell should therefore marry Floramell. Old Fitzwaters and his friend Clynton agree to be good fathers-in-law.
PAGE
The Page works in Clynton's house. He is paid by Young Fitzwaters for access to the family house, and, more specifically, for access to Floramell. The Page is aware of the perilous nature of his trade. The Steward and Old Fitzwaters find where the Page has let Young Fitzwaters into the family compound. They silence the Page and lay an ambush for Young Fitzwaters and Floramell. The Page is dressed up as Floramell to serve as a decoy while Young Fitzwaters and the real Floramell escape their fathers by sea.
PALSGRAVE
Robert the Palsgrave is the primary champion of Savoy's claim to the German throne. At the beginning of the play, the Palsgrave is sick in bed. Because of his illness, he is unable to participate in the initial battle between Savoy, Bohemia and Brandenburgh and the Bastard, Saxon and the Bishops. When The Bastard carries the day, the Palsgrave meets the rightful King of Spain. The Palsgrave, the King of Spain and Cullen rout the Bastard and Saxon in battle and capture the Bastard. When the Palsgrave exits the stage to chase down Saxon, the Bastard escapes. The Palsgrave rebukes his allies and embarks upon a trip to England in order to recruit the assistance of King Edward of England. In England, Edward warmly greets the Palsgrave. The Palsgrave is wildly successful in an English jousting tournament. He repeatedly sends word to the Bastard, now in France, that his days as German Emperor are numbered. The Palsgrave also repeatedly challenges Saxon to duel. Due to his chivalrous behavior, the Palsgrave becomes the first foreigner inducted into Edward's Order of the Garter. When Saxon sneaks into the English court disguised as a Frenchman named Poyctriers, the Palsgrave immediately sees through the deceit and unmasks his enemy. With the assistance of the French Queen, the Palsgrave and his men are able to sneak into the French castle disguised as dancers for a masque. Once inside the compound, the Palsgrave and his men ambush their enemies. The Palsgrave slays Saxon, stands by as the Bastard abdicates and watches as Savoy assumes the throne as Emperor of Germany.
PETER
Peter is the hermetic disguise assumed by the King of Spain (q.v.) so that he can travel to England and recruit assistance for Savoy against the Bastard. Peter assists Palsgrave and Cullen in beating off Saxon and the Bishops and arresting the Bastard; however, as soon as Palsgrave leaves the stage, Saxon returns to successfully chase off Peter and Cullen, thereby rescuing the Bastard. Peter is roundly scolded by Palsgrave for letting the Bastard escape.
POYCTRIERS
Poyctriers is the French name Saxon (q.v.) assumes to infiltrate the English court in disguise.
QUEEN OF FRANCE
The Queen of France is John's wife. She unsuccessfully tries to prevent her husband from foolishly incurring the wrath of England by lecturing King Edward on what wars should and should not be fought. The Queen graciously accepts Floramell into her court; however, the Queen soon suspects that Floramell is trying to seduce the King. The Queen first confronts Floramell with the charge. She then hires spies to watch the young woman. When the King coerces a single kiss from Floramell, the Queen misreads the incident as proof Floramell is a whore. The Queen hires Young Fitzwaters to deliver Floramell to King Edward for execution. She additionally hires two travelers to testify falsely against Floramell and the King. Most importantly, the Queen decides to betray her husband's cause by allowing Edward and the Palsgrave access into the French castle in the disguise of masque dancers. When the King moves to clear Floramell name and the travelers show up drunk to testify, the Queen leaves the stage in a nervous breakdown.
SAVOY
The Duke of Savoy is the rightful heir to Germany's throne. Savoy is supported by the Palsgrave, the King of Bohemia and King Edward of England; the Bastard, Saxon and the King of France oppose him. After the ill Palsgrave is moved to safety, Savoy joins the King of Bohemia in battle against the Bastard and Saxon. Savoy is defeated and imprisoned for the virtual remainder of the play. At the very end of the action, Savoy is rescued by Old Fitzwaters and Clinton and crowned Emperor of Germany.
SAXON
Saxon is enemy to all Englishmen and rebellious partner of the Bastard. He supports the Bastard in battle against Savoy, Cullen, Brandenburgh and Bohemia. Saxon and the Bastard carry the day and Saxon has the Bastard crowned Emperor of Germany. It is Saxon's belief that he is the kingmaker and should therefore rule the king. The Bastard disagrees and bloodies Saxon's nose to regain his obedience. After the skirmish, Saxon ceases challenging the Bastard's authority. When the Bastard is captured in battle against the Palsgrave, Cullen and the King of Spain, Saxon flees a duel with the Palsgrave and rescues the Bastard. Knowing that the Palsgrave will seek King Edward's assistance, Saxon suggests that the rebels recruit the help of King John of France. Saxon accompanies a group of emissaries sent by King John to warn King Edward off interfering with the battle between Savoy and the Bastard. The French name Saxon assumes as a disguise is Poyctriers. It is an utterly unconvincing disguise, seen through instantly by all. When the Palsgrave unmasks Saxon, he challenges Saxon to a duel. Saxon promises to meet him in battle. While traveling to France, Saxon comes upon the castaway Young Fitzwaters. Although Saxon hates all English people, he agrees to rescue Young Fitzwaters so long as the young man promises to serve the Bastard's purposes. Saxon and the rest of the rebels are betrayed by the French Queen, who allows Palsgrave and his men to enter the rebel stronghold disguised as dancers for a masque. He is called to duel by the Palsgrave and is slain.
STEWARD
The Steward serves the Fitzwaters family. He is primarily in service to Young Fitzwaters; however, he provides useful intelligence upon to Old Fitzwaters concerning the whereabouts and intentions of Young Fitzwaters. Specifically, the Steward is coerced into telling Old Fitzwaters that Young Fitzwaters is currently wooing Floramell, Clynton's daughter and Old Fitzwaters's promised bride. The Steward feels great guilt after selling out his young master. After helping Old Fitzwaters ambush the young lovers, the Steward helps them arrange a secret meeting away from their two fathers. The Steward has the young lovers meet him at the house of York. He dresses the Page like Floramell and sends the boy to serve as a decoy at Floramell's intended wedding to Old Fitzwaters. The Steward helps Floramell and Young Fitzwaters escape by sea.
TRIER
Bishop Trier is in league with the Bastard and Saxon against Palsgrave, Savoy and Bohemia at the beginning of the play. Trier and Mentz crown the Bastard Emperor of Germany after Savoy is placed under arrest. Trier prevents Saxon from stabbing The Bastard during an argument over whether a challenged duel with Palsgrave should be accepted. The Bastard strikes Trier for attempting to stop the fight between the Bastard and Saxon. Palsgrave, Peter and Cullen beat Trier off of a defense of the Bastard. After the rescue, Trier and Mentz give up trying to foster peace between the Bastard and Saxon and decide to let the men fight instead. King John of France sends Trier with Mentz to the English court. In his message, John warns Edward not to interfere in the battle between Savoy and the Bastard. When the ship he is on finds the castaway Young Fitzwaters, Trier suggests that the young man is valiant, and thereby worthy of rescue. Near the conclusion of the play, Palsgrave's cohorts, disguised in costumes from a masque, ambush Trier and his fellow rebels. Trier is imprisoned and condemned. In his final utterance, Trier honors Savoy.
VANDOME
Vandome is a murderous henchman in service to the Bastard and partnered with Vandome. The Bastard reports that Vandome can "poison, stabs and lie in wait" expertly. Vandome agrees to travel to France to assist in a plot to assassinate King Edward of England and the Palsgrave. Vandome and Mendoza meet Artoise in France and bribe the French Lord to offer them a center for their treacherous operations. Artoise reports that Vandome and Mendoza are suspected of killing the last emperor. Vandome and Mendoza are paired with Artoise and Young Fitzwaters in the plot to assassinate King Edward and the Palsgrave. Vandome and Mendoza are double-crossed and killed by Artoise and Young Fitzwaters.
YOUNG FITZWATERS
Young Fitzwaters is son to Old Fitzwaters. He is Floramell's true love, but the lovers must hide their affection because Floramell's father Clynton has betrothed Floramell to Old Fitzwaters without Floramell's consent. Young Fitzwaters pays his own Steward and Floramell's Page for access to the young woman. They are betrayed by the Steward. After the two fathers discover the lovers, Young Fitzwaters and Floramell flee England by ship. They send Floramell's Page in a gown to the supposed planned wedding service with Old Fitzwaters. While at sea, their ship sinks. Young Fitzwaters is cast upon a barren rock. He lives on raw fish while awaiting rescue. Many ships come by, but none of them offer him rescue until Saxon and the Bastard find him. They try to recruit Young Fitzwaters for service against King Edward. Young Fitzwaters pretends to join their ranks, but really works as a double agent for the English. He kills Artoise, Mendoza and Vandome. Young Fitzwaters becomes a favorite of the French Queen. She uses Fitzwaters in her betrayal of France to England. She also hires Young Fitzwaters to dispense with Floramell. Young Fitzwaters asks Floramell if she is indeed a whore. He believes her when she denies the charge. Young Fitzwaters also clears his own name for Floramell when his love asks about the nature of his relationship with the Queen. At the end of the play, King Edward rules that Young Fitzwaters was betrothed to Floramell before his father and that Floramell should therefore marry Floramell.