CHARACTERS
HENRY I: King of England
ROBERT ‘CURTHOSE’: Henry’s elder brother
CASTLE SENTRY
SCENE 1
Castle Chambers.
An elderly man, Robert , sits on the edge of an opulently furnished bed. He grips the covers tightly with both hands at either side.
The doors open and a stiff looking Sentry enters stage left.
Sentry Stand for the King!
Robert (Spitting) Ha! He’ll be waiting a long time for that
(Beat)
I’m old boy, I’ll stand when I damn please.
(Pause)
That’s refraining to mention (yelling) that I
can’t stand the rotten swine! Piss on his crown!
Sentry (Quivering) I-I really must insist My Lord
(Straightens) and mind your insolence! You could be-
The doors creak open and Henry I, King of England enters.
Henry My Brother has never been able to guard his tongue, I
had hoped age would mellow him but it seems all it’s
done is make him weak at the knees.
(Beat)
You’ve done well lad, please give us the room.
Sentry (Bows) Your Grace
The Sentry leaves.
Robert You’re enjoying it all then are you? Playing at king?
must be nice having your arse kissed by all those
hangers-on and lickspittles.
Henry (Laughing) That was always closer to your notion of
rulership, no? Or perhaps that is giving you undue
credit.
There is silence as the two brothers size each other up. Robert remains seated. Henry begins to approach .
Robert rises with surprising energy and moves to meet Henry, his fists clenched at either side.
Henry (Smiling ) Brother!
(Beat)
I’m pleased you’re not so frail as you suggested.
No wonder you were able to go running off on us.
He reaches out to touch Robert’s arm.
Truly I have missed you brother, it has been too long.
Robert recoils
Robert Well…
(Beat)
You’ve remained free to visit.
Henry I was not fortunate to inherit a stable kingdom, God
has seen fit to keep me at my labours.
Robert Horseshit.
(Beat)
Let’s not pretend you bear any more love for me than I
You.
(Pause)
Were that true I would not be fettered and left to
die in this wretched castle.
Henry (Laughing) Fettered? You do love making a martyr
of yourself Robert.
Henry gestures at the room around them.
There are few men in Europe who live as finely as you
do. Have I denied you anything?
Robert lurches closer to Henry, their foreheads almost touching.
Robert My freedom you little worm! You deny me my freedom
and my fucking dignity every second I breathe.
Robert’s fists are shaking.
Henry steps back.
Henry (Exasperated) Such a performance.
(Beat)
God give me strength.
(Deep Sigh)
I Love you brother, truly and deeply I do.
(Beat)
But you’re not a serious person, Father knew it and
I know it. You’re a quarrelsome, insolent lay about
and a drunken sot besides.
Robert I’ll not be bloody slandered by a boy who calls
himself a king! I'm a hero of the same church you pray
to.
Henry (Scoffs) Hero
(Beat)
Nobody ever said you weren’t adept at violence, they
needed your sort in Jerusalem I suppose.
(Beat)
Just a pity you couldn’t have remained there. It would
Have solved everyone a lot of trouble.
Robert lunges and begins to raise a fist.
Henry (Raising voice) Stop!
Robert freezes.
Out of love I suffer your incessant tongue wagging but
think to lay a hand on me and I’ll have your eyes put
Out.
Robert’s mouth hangs open, he remains still and meekly relaxes his posture.
(Pause)
(Laughing) Settle down!
Henry grabs Robert’s shoulder and giving it an
affectionate squeeze.
You really think I’m capable of such barbarity? You’re
my brother. But please
He tightens his grip and pulls Robert closer.
Don’t test me.
He releases his hold . Robert backs aways.
Robert Are you going to tell me why you bothered to come all
The way down here? Can the ruling be so
easily put aside for you to torment an old man?
Henry I suppose I had hoped to clear the air.
(Beat)
For all the good that seems to have done.
(Beat)
(Sigh) There are only a few of us left.
Robert (Spitting) I wonder why that is.
Henry Why? Because life moves forward Robert. Father fell
from his horse, the pox took young Richard, the girls
are married away and I’m hoping I can make peace with
family I have left.
Robert You stand there and dare to mock me with
that affectation of ignorance.
Henry Speak your mind brother, it’s clear something is
troubling you but forgive me for I understand you not.
Robert (Nodding) Fine I’ll humour you.
(Beat)
Life moves on does it? Death and disease come for us
all? An arrow happens to misfire and strike our
Brother-
Henry What on earth are you talking-
Robert (Yelling) -Paving the way for your royal ascent whilst I
get stepped over and locked away!
(Pause)
Henry Are you done?
Robert curtly nods. He shakes with barely contained rage. Henry steps closer, unafraid.
You’re making this very difficult for me Robert, as
your brother I offer you leniency but as your king that
that can only extend so far.
(Beat)
Rid your mind of these fancies and never speak them
Again.
Robert opens his mouth to speak.
Just this once
(Beat)
Don’t let your temper get the better of you. I want
Animosity to cease. I came to make you an offer.
Robert relaxes, shoulders slumped.
Robert (Spits) What offer?
Henry A position at court, a chance to restore your dignity
and live out your remaining years in service to the
Kingdom.
Robert I’ll not whore myself to you so that I can die in
a slightly livelier prison.
Henry pauses for a few seconds to regard the answer.
Henry Regretful
He turns to leave.
Robert Hold on- Henry!
Henry turns back to Robert and looks at him silently.
Please.
(Beat)
I’ll be dead soon. Just let me be off, I’ll make for
Jerusalem and you’ll never hear word of me again.
Robert sinks to his knees, bowing his head.
I beg you. I humble myself before you bro- My King.
Henry (Smiling) It took some time but you finally learned
to mind yourself.
(Beat) Alas, I fear you waited too long for your show of
Humility.
Robert sheepishly raises his head.
If only you could have put on such a performance when I
arrived.
(Beat) No I’m afraid you’ve proved that you’re still
too tenacious in your old age.
(Beat)
Guards!
Two Sentries enter, flanking Henry at either side.
Keep my brother under close watch until he proves he
Can be trusted again.
Robert rises to his feet.
Robert You miserable fucking coward!
(Beat)
I place a curse on you and yours!
(Beat)
Murderer!
(Beat)
Kinslayer!
(Beat)
Fucking animal!
(Pause)
Henry You and that temper, what was it father used to call
you? Short stocking? Little Boot?
(Pause)
Put out his eyes.
BLACKOUT.
END.