Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: James D. Mardock
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-409-7

    Copyright James D. Mardock. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: James D. Mardock
    Peer Reviewed

    Henry V (Quarto 1, 1600)

    The Chronicle Historie
    180Then heare me gracious soueraigne, and you peeres,
    Which owe your liues, your faith and seruices
    To this imperiall throne.
    There is no bar to stay your highnesse claime to France
    But one, which they produce from Faramount,
    No female shall succeed in salicke land,
    Which salicke land the French vniustly gloze
    To be the realme of France:
    And Faramont the founder of this law and female barre:
    190Yet their owne writers faithfully affirme
    That the land salicke lyes in Germany,
    Betweene the flouds of Sabeck and of Elme,
    Where Charles the fift hauing subdude the Saxons
    There left behind, and setled certaine French,
    195Who holding in disdaine the Germaine women,
    For some dishonest maners of their liues,
    Establisht there this lawe. To wit,
    No female shall succeed in salicke land:
    Which salicke land as I said before,
    200Is at this time in Germany called Mesene:
    Thus doth it well appeare the salicke lawe
    Was not deuised for the realme of France,
    Nor did the French possesse the salicke land,
    Vntill 400. one and twentie yeares
    205After the function of king Faramont,
    Godly supposed the founder of this lawe:
    Hugh Capet also that vsurpt the crowne,
    To fine his title with some showe of truth,
    220When in pure truth it was corrupt and naught:
    Conuaid himselfe as heire to the Lady Inger,
    Daughter to Charles, the foresaid Duke of Loraine,
    So that as cleare as is the sommers Sun,
    King Pippins title and Hugh Capets claime,
    235King Charles his satisfaction all appeare,
    To hold in right and title of the female:
    So do the Lords of France vntil this day,
    Howbeit they would hold vp this salick lawe
    To