Ordinance of Labourers
King Edward III and his council debate the Ordinance of Labourers, attempting to impose wage controls in response to the labor shortage caused by the Black Death, while peasants protest outside the pa
Setting
Westminster Palace's Great Hall, a grand chamber with high ceilings, and the outer courtyard where peasants gather outside the gates. The hall is adorned with tapestries and banners, while the courtyard is dusty and crowded.
Characters
King Edward III
primary
A tall, imposing man in his late 30s, with a strong, regal bearing. His face is framed by a neatly trimmed beard and mustache, his piercing blue eyes reflecting both wisdom and authority. His broad shoulders and upright posture command respect.
Nobleman 1
primary
A tall, imposing man in his late 50s, with a sharp, angular face framed by a neatly trimmed silver beard. His piercing blue eyes convey both intelligence and a steely determination. His posture is upright, exuding the confidence of his high rank.
Nobleman 2
secondary
A middle-aged man of slight build, with thinning brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His sharp features and piercing blue eyes betray a keen intelligence, while his slightly stooped posture suggests years of bowing to higher authority.
Peasant Leader
secondary
A rugged man in his late 30s, with a wiry build and sun-weathered skin. His dark hair is cropped short, and his hands are calloused from years of labor. His sharp eyes burn with conviction, and his jaw is set in defiance.
Peasant 1
background
A gaunt, middle-aged man with sunken cheeks and rough hands, his face reddened from years of outdoor labor. His hair is unkempt and streaked with grey, and his frame is wiry but strong from years of toil.
Guards
background
A group of palace guards, each in their prime, with rugged features and muscular builds from years of training. Their faces are weathered, and their eyes are sharp, scanning the crowd for any signs of unrest.
Dialog
King Edward III
We have heard much counsel on this matter, yet the realm must be secured. The ordinance shall stand, lest chaos take root where order once flourished.
Nobleman 1
By God's grace, Your Majesty speaks true! These churls grow insolent with every day—shall we suffer them to name their own wages, as if they were lords of the manor?
Nobleman 2
Might it not breed greater unrest to press too harshly? Even now, their murmurs rise like floodwaters against a mill-dam.
Peasant Leader
Hear me, brothers! They'd chain us to the soil for a pittance—but our sweat's worth more than their scraps!
King Edward III
Let those outside know this: the crown's justice falls equally upon all subjects. Their grievances are heard, but rebellion shall not be tolerated.
Nobleman 1
Aye, and let the stocks remind them where God placed their station!
Peasant Leader
Then we'll take no more of their justice! Pitchforks and scythes served us at harvest—they'll serve again today!