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Naxos AudioBooks presents the history of the Plantaganets as seen through the eyes of Shakespeare. These easy-to-understand introductions feature key speeches and scenes from the plays themselves, and are very accessible for children approaching Shakespeare for the first time, as well as being an invaluable aid to the history of the Plantaganets, from Richard II to Richard III. This set covers: Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, Henry V, Henry VI parts 1, 2, and 3 and Richard III. Read by an outstanding cast of English classical actors, and introduced by Anton Lesser.
Richard II (excerpts)
Richard II
'This royal throne of kings, this scept'red isle…'
Gaunt tried to warn King Richard…
'So when this thief, this traitor, Bolingbroke…'
But Richard's confidence soon vanished…
The young Duke of Aumerle bade Richard…
And so Richard, with no power left to him…
'Here, cousin, seize the crown.'
Richard's grief at his loss overwhelmed him…
In despair Richard smashed the mirror…
'That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire…'
In his dying moments…
Henry IV Part I (excerpts)
Henry IV, Part I
The son, who was the theme of honour's tongue…
Prince Hal, although he was the Prince of Wales…
Prince Hal had another friend…
Hotspur had hoped to strike a deal…
A plague of cowards still, say I…
By the time Falstaff had finished his tale…
But Falstaff's plans for their evening's entertainment…
Then Hal and Falstaff swapped parts…
Their play was interrupted by the arrival…
That night at the palace…
I will redeem all this on Percy's head.
King Henry was moved by his son's…
And such have I to fill up…
King Henry made one final offer…
The Battle of Shrewsbury raged.
What? Old acquaintance?
But as Hal left the battlefield, old Falstaff…
And hoisting the body of Hotspur…
Henry IV Part II (excerpts)
Henry IV, Part II
What is the gross sum that I owe thee?
The cunning Falstaff talked very sweetly…
You whoreson candlemine you…
There was no time for any further questions.
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow…
Hal was sure his father was dead…
Too full of sorrow for his father, Hal…
God Save Thy Grace King Hal…
Henry V (excerpts)
Henry V
Your Highness lately sending into France…
Henry decided that it was time…
He's in Arthur's bosom, if ever a man went…
The first battle for Henry in France…
Their courage renewed by their leader…
My Lord High Constable, the English…
King Henry, meanwhile, was wandering…
But with the morning, Henry's spirits…
And so the Battle of Agincourt began…
Here comes the Herald of the French…
And so the battle concluded…
Fair Katherine, and most fair…
Henry VI Part I (excerpts)
Henry VI, Part I
Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd's daughter…
She was Joan of Arc, called Joan…
'Tis Joan, not we, by whom the day is won…
But old Lord Talbot was an experienced…
Tut tut, here is a mannerly forbearance…
And so the noble Lords of England divided…
Who craves a parlay with the Burgundy?
Unaware that he had been deserted…
Come hither, you that would be…
With Burgundy on their side…
A heavy battle followed…
…thou art come unto a feast…
So father and son fought valiantly…
The French could hardly believe…
Now, ye familiar spirits…
Left alone, and weak without her spirits…
Be what thou wilt…
Margaret's father, the Earl of Anjou…
Is all our travail turn'd to…
Charles the Dauphin was arrogant…
I feel such sharp dissension…
Peace had been declared…
Henry VI Part II (excerpts)
Henry VI, Part II
Brave Peers of England, pillars of the state…
These counties were the keys of Normandy…
So, there goes our Protector…
Some Lords agreed with the Cardinal…
A day will come when York shall…
If the Protector, Gloucester, was ambitious…
My Lord of Suffolk…
To Margaret, the Court of England seemed…
I know their complot is to have my life…
The angry Lords had Gloucester dragged away.
My brain, more busy than the labouring spider…
That night, the Duke of Gloucester was…
What, doth my Lord of Suffolk…
Queen Margaret too, though really glad…
But this speech was only pretence…
Give me thy hand, that I may dew it…
While Suffolk boarded a ship for France…
Be brave, then, for your captain…
The force the city of London sent…
How now! Is Somerset at liberty?
There was uproar in the Court.
Henry VI Part III (excerpts)
Henry VI, Part III
The factious Duke of York, descend my throne…
Who was to be King?
O timorous wretch!
And so, joining the Northern Lords…
The army of the Queen hath…
York was surrounded by his worst enemies.
And Clifford and Queen Margaret…
Dazzle mine eyes…
And Edward took his heraldic sign…
Oh God, methinks 'twould be a happy life…
As he dreamed, King Henry imagined…
Likewise, Henry saw a father…
The tide of battle at Toughton turned…
Ay, Edward will use women honourably…
When Warwick arrived in France to arrange…
No more my king…
And to prove his change of heart…
Here is the Duke. Why, Warwick…
While Edward was imprisoned…
Now Warwick, wilt thou ope the city gates?
A fierce battle was fought at Barnet…
While King Henry remained locked in his cell…
Butchers and villains. Bloody cannibals…
But her ravings had no effect…
Good day my Lord. What? At your books…
So England returned to peace…
Richard III (excerpts)
Richard III
Now is the winter of our discontent…
Nothing was going to stop Richard…
Methoughts I had broken from the Tower…
And his bad dreams weren't for nothing…
Was ever woman in this humour wooed?
Meanwhile, Edward IV's illness…
Thus high, by thy advice and thy assistance.
The truth was that Richard could not…
All the time that Richard had been planning…
Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower.
Next morning, the sun was not shining…
Rescue, my Lord of Norfolk, rescue…
“At last, the baffling complexities of the Wars of the Roses unravelled, and a battle-by-battle guide to Shakespeare’s history plays. I need fret no longer whether it was in Henry IV Part 1 or Henry VI Part 3 that Suffolk betrayed Gloucester or Salisbury ratted on York. Junior versions of the classics are so much clearer.”
Richard II
