Coronation of Richard II
The coronation of 10-year-old Richard II in Westminster Abbey, anointing him as king amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and the looming Peasants' Revolt.
Setting
Westminster Abbey, London - The grand nave of the abbey is filled with nobles, clergy, and commoners, all gathered under towering Gothic arches. The stone floors are covered with richly woven carpets leading to the high altar, where the coronation ceremony takes place.
Characters
Richard II
primary
A slender 10-year-old boy with a pale complexion, fine features, and shoulder-length blond hair neatly combed for the ceremony. His bright blue eyes reflect both innocence and an unusual awareness for his age.
Archbishop of Canterbury
primary
An elderly man of slight build with a deeply lined face and sharp, observant eyes. His thin white hair is neatly tonsured, and his hands, though aged, move with practiced precision. His posture is erect, conveying both religious authority and the weight of his office.
John of Gaunt
secondary
A tall, imposing man in his late 30s with sharp, angular features and piercing blue eyes. His dark auburn hair is streaked with grey, and he sports a neatly trimmed beard. His build is robust, befitting a nobleman accustomed to both court and battlefield.
Nobleman
secondary
A mature nobleman in his late 40s, with a sharp, angular face framed by a neatly trimmed beard streaked with silver. His piercing blue eyes convey both intelligence and a calculating nature. He carries himself with the erect posture of a military man, though his hands are soft, indicating a life of privilege rather than battle.
Abbey Guard
background
A burly man in his early 30s with a weathered face and a thick beard. His broad shoulders and calloused hands suggest years of military service. He wears a chainmail coif under his helmet, and his surcoat bears the arms of Westminster Abbey.
Dialog
Archbishop of Canterbury
Unguento sacro unguimus te, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti...
Richard II
We... I mean, I shall be a good king, as our grandfather was. Won't we, uncle?
John of Gaunt
The board is set, young majesty. Now we must see how the pieces fall.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Coronet te Dominus corona gloriae in misericordia et miserationibus suis...
Richard II
Why does the oil smell so strange? Is this how kings are made?
John of Gaunt
Mark well this day, my lords. The pawn becomes king, but the game remains unchanged.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Sta et retine locum quem hâc die acceperis...