JOHN BALE
KING JOHAN, Part 2 DE IOANNE ANGLORUM REGE
1538 (original version)
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
Stevyn Langton and Sedicyon in disguise.
CARDYNALL PANDULPHUS
The disguise assumed by Privat Welth. As Cardynall Pandulphus, Privat Welth curses King Johan and releases the people from their allegiance to him. He also persuades King Johan to give him the crown and extorts money from him. He then brings to England the eldest son of King Philippe of France, Louis, to make war on King Johan.
CLERGYE
One of King Johan's three estates. Clergye is persuaded by Stevyn Langton (who is really Sedicyon in disguise) to be disloyal to King Johan, who has been excommunicated by the Pope. After the King's death, listening to Veritas's words, Clergye repents and is forgiven. He then swears allegiance to Imperyall Majestye, who represents King Henry VIII, promises to exile Usurpid Power and helps to catch Sedicyon.
COMMYNALTE
Commynalte represents the English people. He is poor and blind, and, because of his infirmity (as spiritual blindness brings men out of the way), he forsakes King Johan and chooses to follow the Pope.
CYVYLE ORDER
One of King Johan's three estates. Cyvyle Order is persuaded by Stevyn Langton (who is really Sedicyon in disguise) to be disloyal to King Johan, who has been excommunicated by the Pope. After the King's death, listening to Veritas's words, Cyvyle Order repents and is forgiven. He then swears allegiance to Imperyall Majestye, who represents King Henry VIII, promises to hang Dissymulacyon and puts Sedicyon to death.
DISSYMULACYON
As Simon of Swinsett, Dissymulacyon poisons King Johan, but he has to drink the first half of the potion himself. He dies, but Stevyn Langton has pardoned him in advance and assured him that he will go to Heaven and be honored as a martyr.
ENGLANDE
Englande represents the country. She is the only one to remain loyal to King Johan and she disowns her son, Commynalte, because of his betrayal.
GOOD PERFECCYON
One of the disguises assumed by Sedicyon. As Good Perfeccyon, Sedicyon listens to Nobylyte's confession and persuades him to be disloyal to King Johan.
IMPERYALL MAJESTYE
Imperyall Majestye represents King Henry VIII. He pardons the three estates and offers a Scriptural explanation for the Divine Right of kings and the supremacy of the King over the Pope. He also decrees Sedicyon's death by hanging.
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 (even his own life) for his country. King Johan is also a complimentary figuring of King Henry VIII. In "Part 2", an International League and the disloyalty of the three estates force King Johan to submit to his enemies. He gives the crown to Cardinal Pandulphus, the Papal representative, who also extorts money from him. But the Pope is not satisfied yet, and Simon of Swynsett is engaged to poison the King. After his death, King Johan's memory is redeemed by Veritas.
LOUIS of FRANCE
A "ghost character." Cardynall Pandulphus, Privat Welth in disguise, brings to England the eldest son of King Philippe of France, Louis, to make war on King Johan.
NOBYLYTE
One of King Johan's three estates. Nobylyte is persuaded by Good Perfeccyon (who is really Sedicyon in disguise) to be disloyal to King Johan, who has been excommunicated by the Pope. After the King's death, listening to Veritas's words, Nobylyte repents and is forgiven. He then swears allegiance to Imperyall Majestye, who represents King Henry VIII, promises to put Privat Welth out of the monasteries and helps to catch Sedicyon.
POPE
A "ghost character." Pope Innocent the Third is seen as the Antichrist and he is at the head of the plot to destroy King Johan.
PRIVAT WELTH
A supporter of the Pope. Together with Sedicyon, he carries out the plot to destroy King Johan. He is also Cardynall Pandulphus.
SEDICYON
The chief villain and an example of "the Vice." He is a supporter of the Pope and, together with Privat Welth, he carries out the plot to destroy King Johan. He is hanged by Cyvyle Order at Smithfield. He is also Good Perfeccyon and Stevyn Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
SIMON OF SWINSETT
The disguise assumed by Dissymulacyon to poison King Johan.
STEVYN LANGTON
The Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the disguises assumed by Sedicyon. As Stevyn Langton, Sedicyon leads Clergye and Cyvyle Order to state their opposition to King Johan.
TREASON
A priest who has been condemned to be hanged for treason. King Johan, unwillingly, gives him to Cardynall Pandulphus who sets him free.
VERITAS
Veritas redeems King Johan's memory and makes the three estates (Nobylyte, Clergye and Cyvyle Order) repent having betrayed their King.