HENRY II ACT 1, SCENE 1
The tragedy begins at a royal Christmas feast in Normandy
PROLOGUE:
CHRONICLER
The year was 1170, a grim one indeed.
The months have passed since Henry, King,
The Second of His Name & Europe’s master,
Settled on terms between Church and Crown
With Thomas of Becket, Canterbury’s pastor.
It seemed the two had reached at last, at least,
Some whispered, ghostly form of Peace.
But in early December, Becket returned.
He left Exile for England.
Dark rumor spread like fire
To melt a cold and frosty Realm
That after he quitted France, Becket,
An Archbishop still defiant,
Used his power to cut off the worst
Of his ecclesial rivals,
Ecclesial Rivals who had sided
With King Henry’s law and justice.
The sprectral Peace could no more Last…
Act 1 Scene 1 - Banquet Hall - Normandy - Christmas Day
King HENRY II and Queen ELEANOR are seated at the center of a royally furnished table enjoying a Christmas feast.
Seated at the high table are their young ROYAL CHILDREN as well as their LORDS and LADIES attendant. Those with the seats of highest honor beside the King and Queen are RANULF de Glanvil, Henry’s Chief Justiciar, and ARNULF, the Bishop of Lisieux. A SERVANT pours drinks and a SECOND SERVANT fetches food.
At a lower table waited on by a THIRD SERVANT are FOUR KNIGHTS, two WIVES and seven NOBLE CHILDREN.
LORD 1 [toasting]
Merry Christmas!
LADY 1 [joining the toast]
Happy Christmas!
LADY 2 [joining the toast]
Merry Christmas!
LORD 2 [joining the toast]
Happy Christmas!
ARNULF
Let all be glad!
LORD 3
‘Tis Yule!
LADY 3
Rejoice!
KNIGHT 1
‘Tis Yule!
RANULF [toasting loudest of all]
God save King Henry!
ALL [except HENRY & ELEANOR]
And bless his rule!
All drink to Henry’s health, though ELEANOR only sips. The others continue celebrating.
ELEANOR [under her breath]
Aye, bless him, God.
Preserve him from stupor,
And the idle folly of such
Holly-jolly fools.
HENRY
What rumor’s this you darkly whisper?
ELEANOR [so that everyone can hear]
The lowest layman, were he slow of wit,
Might think that Canterbury's Rome
And Thomas pope,
His letters law, like Holy Writ.
But kings will mark—at least we hope—
The different deference due to each,
And when due deference changes to
Egregious overreach.
And yet perhaps we hope too much.
Thou hast not noted it yet.
HENRY [for her ears alone]
Silence, wife. You overstep.
ELEANOR [practically shouting]
Tis I, your wife, who oversteps?
Yet he, your clerk, does not trespass?
To drink and whore must mean much more
Than wedding vows and marriage bed.
I've born to thee four sons and strong!
Would that I had spent more time
In taverns, brothels, gutters!
Maybe then you’d honor me
With homage paid to a vested fool.
Her words cast an uneasy silence on all gathered. The FOUR KNIGHTS exchange dark glances. The others stop drinking and talking and in general pretend not to exist.
SERVANT 1
More… wine, Your Grace?
ELEANOR
His wits are wet enough.
The kingdom’s head is sodden.
HENRY [to servant]
Remember this, young valet:
Be she slave or empress,
Never heed a nagging wench.
A MESSENGER arrives.
MESSENGER [whispering into Henry’s ear]
Your Grace… Becket…
Thomas has returned.
He’s in England again.
He excommunicated the…
The lighting and the mood in the room darkens.
HENRY nods, furious, and waves away the MESSENGER with a brusque motion to depart.
The MESSENGER departs in haste, casting frightened looks from over his shoulder. The Doors open and slam shut.
ELEANOR
With death and glory yet unearned,
This Thomas acts like a Saint returned!
Good God! Is God an English clergyman?
Perhaps the king wears not his crown,
But meekly lets mere vicars try it on!
O “prudent” ruler, whither courage, anger?
Oh, where's his wrath? The wrath of he
Who sits upon the throne and wields alike
The golden rod and bloody sword?
Oh, Henry, Henry, Henry, where's thy GALL?
HENRY
You seek my gall? You've found it out!
O, thou bitter, prattling harpy!
All Aquitaine’s not worth this abuse!
I am no cur, though you might make a fine bitch!
You belong in taverns, brothels, gutters!
Thou puppeteering mistress, with words, hands,
And kisses always endeavoring to make of me
Thy dummy purse-fitting marionette!
HENRY rises. ELEANOR RISES. THE FOUR KNIGHTS RISE. All else sit stunned.
HENRY [looking over all in the banquet hall]
What miserable drones and traitors
Have I nourished and promoted
In my household, who let their lord
Be treated with such shameful contempt
By a low-born Clerk!
HENRY [roaring; his words ECHO three times throughout the hall]
WILL NO ONE RID ME OF THIS TURBULENT PRIEST?
ECHOES
WILL NO ONE RID ME OF THIS TURBULENT PRIEST?
WILL NO ONE RID ME OF THIS TURBULENT PRIEST?
WILL NO ONE RID ME OF THIS TURBULENT PRIEST…
HENRY storms out of the hall. ELEANOR smiles and takes back her seat and begins to eat and drink with gusto, while ARNULF and RANULF rise and exchange worried glances. Ranulf leaves after Henry, Arnulf behind him.
Most of the others are stunned and remain in their seats. The youngest of the NOBLE CHILDREN weep. The ROYAL CHILDREN argue as ELEANOR giggles.
Lastly, the FOUR KNIGHTS rise and exit in the direction opposite of HENRY.
DARKNESS FALLS ON THE STAGE.
THE CURTAIN CLOSES.
END OF ACT 1, SCENE 1.
