Yes, I would think either William the Conqueror or Edgar the Atheling would be logical choices for the hero, as Elizabeth/James are descended from those two.
Maybe Harold usurps the throne following the death of the Confessor (which he may or may not have helped with in the play; possible Edward the Exile ditto), and then maneuvers to be crowned as king, despite the Atheling and his previous oath to William. William's invasion triggers a Macbeth-style breakdown, ending with the crowning of William the Conqueror. Blame Harold for usurpation and portray the Normans as merely upholding the oath Harold forswore. If it's after 1603, mention that Edgar's sister and heiress is married to the King of Scotland, while we're at it.
After all, for much of Elizabeth and James's reign, relations with France are actually decent.
Perhaps the wedding of Matilda of Scotland and Henry I will be the ending of the story.
Yeah, he appeared in Holinshed, and Shakey wrote about Edmund Ironside, so he was evidently aware of the period. Patrons (particularly Elizabeth) might not like the tragic hero being an ostensible usurper, and the public might not like to be reminded about getting beaten by the French, but he dealt with similar issues in other plays - semi-heroic usurper in the character of Henry IV and foreign conquest of England in Cymbeline, to name two.
More likely we get a random supernatural prophesy of the union rather than a huge time jump.
You mean like Theseus, Duke of Athens? Well, two out of three is not bad.Shakespeare was no stickler for historical accuracy.
Snip
Scene 1: Picardie, a beach
Enter HAROLD and his COURTIERS. A tempestuous noise heard.
HAROLD:
Good Cedric, tell me now- what land is this
That we, unfortunates, have been cast on?
CEDRIC:
Earl Harold, ere our bark did lose its way
I heard the captain say it was the coast
Of Picardie or Normandie much more
I cannot tell for he, poor soul, did slip
And by the foaming waves was swift dragged down
Enter A KNIGHT, armed
KNIGHT
Hollo, what sort of men are you, nay, nay!
Do not draw arms, you trespass on this strand
Sheathe now or face justice!
HAROLD
What is thy name?
Earl Harold Godwinsson now bids thee speak
What is thy name, good knight, and who thy lord?
KNIGHT
Jean-Luc, my lord, I am, of Picardie
My lord, Duke William, but this is the land
Of Guy of Ponthieu
CEDRIC
Lest I miss my mark
There come Ponthieu's men, riding down the strand
HAROLD
Then sheath thy swords, good sirs
Let us go forth, and meet with the count, Guy
Of him I have heard tell, a noble man.
JEAN-LUC
Indeed Earl Harold, swiftly make it so
And to Count Guy's high seat we'll swiftly go.
EXEUNT
I like this. Are you planning to continue?
Should that not be "boldly go"?![]()
I don't wish to seem too picky about the Bard's choice of names, but should it not be Cerdic as in the first King of Wessex?CEDRIC:
Earl Harold, ere our bark did lose its way
I heard the captain say it was the coast
Of Picardie or Normandie much more
I cannot tell for he, poor soul, did slip
And by the foaming waves was swift dragged down
I don't wish to seem too picky about the Bard's choice of names, but should it not be Cerdic as in the first King of Wessex?
Well this is clearly from the Bad Folio
oOC: You're right! I had no idea the name "Cedric" was a misspelling of "Cerdic" by Scott in Ivanhoe- I had been under the impression that both were authentic Anglo-Saxon names.
I am sure that names won't be the only thing that the Bard would take liberties with. A few Henry V style speeches are also on the cards.Well this is clearly from the Bad Folio
oOC: You're right! I had no idea the name "Cedric" was a misspelling of "Cerdic" by Scott in Ivanhoe- I had been under the impression that both were authentic Anglo-Saxon names.