ABSTRACT
Blanche of Spain (1188-1252) was a niece to King John. Her marriage to Lewis, the French Dauphin, was arranged as part of an alliance with King Philip of France, Lewis’ father. In later life Blanche became quite a considerable force in French history. Her husband died young and she acted as regent for her son and ruled very effectively whilst he grew up and later when he was away fighting in the Crusades. At this point in the play, she and Lewis have just been married but the celebrations have been interrupted by Cardinal Pandulph, an emissary from the Pope. He demands that King John give way in a dispute over the archbishopric of Canterbury. John will not give way so Pandulph excommunicates him and demands that Philip break the new alliance and make war on John. Philip eventually agrees, encouraged by Lewis. This speech is Blanche’s attempt to change the minds of the two factions – both of whom is she is now closely related to. Historically, she was in her early teens at this time.
