Treachery and betrayal are the order of the day during the reign of King John of England (1199-1216.) After he is forced to recognize the illegitimate son of his dead brother, King Richard I, King John finds himself under siege by the French king, Philip. At the same time, his appointment of an archbishop without the pope's consent result in John's excommunication from the church, and his nobles' divided loyalties are revealed as they choose between the anointed King John and Louis the Dauphin of France.

Known as "The Bard of Avon," William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest English-language writer known. Enormously popular during his life, Shakespeare's works continue to resonate more than three centuries after his death, as has his influence on theatre and literature. Shakespeare's innovative use of character, language, and experimentation with romance as tragedy served as a foundation for later playwrights and dramatists, and some of his most famous lines of dialogue have become part of everyday speech.

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