JOHN BALE
KING JOHAN, Part 1
DE IOANNE ANGLORUM REGE

1538 (original version)

a synoptic, alphabetical character list

ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY

Stevyn Langton, in reality Sedicyon in disguise.

CARDINAL PANDULPHUS

Cardynall Pandulphus is the disguise assumed by Privat Welth, one of the villains who threaten King Johan's crown.

CLERGY

Clergye is one of King Johan's three estates. Being accused of having misused England, he swears allegiance to the King, but he covertly operates in support of the Pope.

CIVIL ORDER

Cyvyle Order is one of King Johan's three estates. He swears allegiance to the King.

DISSIMULATION

Dissymulacyion is a supporter of the Pope and one of Sedicyon's helpers. He is also Raymundus.

ENGLANDE

Englande represents the country. She is identified as "a Widow" because Clergy has deprived her of her spouse, God. Clergye has also reduced her to poverty. She complains to King Johan, who readily agrees to help her.

INTERPRETOR

The Interpretour's speech concludes the play offering a parallel between King Johan and Moses. He also makes explicit for the audience the meaning of what they have seen in King Johan Part 1 and anticipates what they will see in King Johan Part 2.

KING JOHAN

Historical King of England. In Bale's play King Johan, who was depicted as a monster in the medieval chronicles, becomes a Protestant Saint. He is made the embodiment of the ideal monarch who sacrifices everything for his country. King Johan is also a complimentary figuring of King Henry VIII. In "Part 1" he reprimands Clergy for having misused England, now reduced to poverty, and decides to help her; but the Pope and his supporters devise a plan to depose him, that starts with King Johan's excommunication.

MONKE

Another disguise assumed by Stevyn Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is in reality Sedicyon in disguise.

NOBILITY

Nobility is one of King Johan's three estates. He swears allegiance to the king, but Clergy throws him into confusion.

POPE

Pope Innocent the Third. He is really Usurpid Power in disguise and devises a plan to depose King Johan. As the Pope, Usurpid Power excommunicates the English King.

PRIVATE WEALTH

Privat Welth is a supporter of the Pope and one of Sedicyon's helpers. He is also Cardynall Pandulphus.

RAYMUNDUS

The disguise assumed by Dissymulacyon, one of the villains who threaten King Johan's crown. As Raymundus, Dissymulacyon is sent by the Pope to incite the other Christian Princes to make war against King Johan.

SEDITION

Sedicyon is the chief villain and an example of "the Vice." Sedicyon is a supporter of the Pope and is aided by Dissymulacyon, Privat Welth and Usurpid Power. Sedicyon is also Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

STEVYN LANGTON

The Archbishop of Canterbury, in reality Sedicyon in disguise.

USURPED POWER

Usurpid Power is one of the supporters of Sedicyon. He is also the Pope.