The Life of Sir John Falstaff
“Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me: The brain of this foolish-compounded clay man, is not able to vent anything that tends to laughter, more than I invent, or is invented on me: I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.” King Henry, IV., Part 2.
The “LIFE of SIR JOHN FALSTAFF” will be published Monthly, and completed in 10 Parts, containing 2 Plates in each Part.
The Writer’s Dedication to Mary E. C. Brough.
My dearest Sister,
The following pages represent (if nothing else) a considerable amount of labour-achieved, as you know, under the most trying circumstances-which I am mainly indebted to your sisterly care and devotion for having been able to accomplish at all.
Accept their dedication, not for their intrinsic worth, but as the only kind of testimonial of love and gratitude just now available to
Your affectionate Brother,
Robert B. Brough
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THE LIFE OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
Illustrated by GEORGE CRUIKSHANK
With A Biography Of The Knight, From Authentic Sources
NOTICE.
ROBERT B. BROUGH.
PREFACE.
SIR JOHN FALSTAFF: A BIOGRAPHY
BOOK THE FIRST, 1352—1365.
I. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
II. BIRTH AND GENEALOGY OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF.
III. OF THE TRICK PLAYED BY LITTLE JACK FALSTAFF ON SIR THOMAS MOWBRAY
AND HIS FOLLOWING; AND HOW JACK WAS CARRIED AWAY TO LONDON.
IV. OF JACK FALSTAFF’S COSTING TO LONDON.
HOW HE SAW LIFE THERE, AND HOW HE BROKE SKOGAN’S HEAD AT THE COURT GATE.
BOOK THE SECOND, 1381.
I. HOW MR. JOHN FALSTAFF CAME INTO HIS PROPERTY, AND WAS KNIGHTED
BOOK THE THIRD, 1410.
I. FOR THE MOST PART A TREATISE ON HEROES AND KNIGHTS-ERRANT.
II. HOW SIR JOHN FALSTAFF, WITH HIS SATELLITES THE PRINCE HENRY...
AND MR. EDWARD POINS, IN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED, PLANNED THE FAMOUS GADS HILL EXPEDITION.
III. THE BATTLE OF GADSHILL.
IV. THE DAY AFTER THE BATTLE.
V. HISTORIC DISSERTATION UPON THE GREAT CIVIL WAR
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VI. HOW SIR JOHN FALSTAFF WON THE BATTLE OF SHREWSBURY.
ROUND THE FIRST.
BOOK THE FOURTH, 1410—1413.
I. OF THE SIGNAL VICTORY GAINED BY SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
OVER THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND.
II. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED:
III. SIR JOHN FALSTAFF AN AUTHOR.
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IV WARLIKE STRATEGY OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF:
V. VISIT TO JUSTICE SHALLOW’S.
VI. ON THE MAGNANIMITY OP SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
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VII. DOUBTS ON THE GENIUS AND TESTIMONY OF SHAKSPEARE.
LETTER FROM MASTER RICHARD WHITTINGTON.—AND OTHER MATTERS.
VIII. MILDNESS OF THE SPRING SEASON IN 1413
IX. INAUGURATION OF THE NEW RÉGIME.—MALIGNITY OF THE LORD CHIEF
JUSTICE.
X. CORONATION OF HENRY THE FIFTH.
BOOK THE FIFTH. 1413—1415.
I. SIR JOHN FALSTAFF IN EXILE.
ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING.
A TIMELY WORD TO THE KING FROM ONE PERCHANCE THOUGHT DEAD **
II. THE END OF THE LIFE OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF.
“The king has killed his heart, good husband, come home presently.”
“WE COULD HAVE BETTER SPARED A BETTER MAN.”
FINIS.
