Abstract
SHAKESPEARE'S references to the late mediaeval romance hero Guy of Warwick have been ably chronicled by Velma Bourgeois Richmond in her wide-ranging study of his legend. She observes that two allusions to Guy's legend come at the start and close of Shakespeare's career. That they occur in history plays suggests that the Warwickshire poet associated Guy with history.1 First, in the opening scene of King John Philip ‘the Bastard’ speaks scornfully to and about his weedy half-brother Robert Falconbridge, who is a genuine Falconbridge, rather than being, as is Philip, a son, albeit illegitimate, of King Richard Coeur de Lion. Responding to his mother's question as to the whereabouts of his brother Robert, Philip says My brother Robert, old Sir Robert's son? Colbrand the Giant, that same mighty man? BASTARD James Gurney, wilt thou give us leave a while? GURNEY Good leave, good Philip. BASTARD Philip—sparrow! James. There's toys abroad; anon I’ll tell thee more.
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