NOTES.
[Note I.]
Dramatis Personæ. We have made some slight changes in the titles and order of the dramatis personæ in accordance with the suggestion of Mr George Russell French, who writes to us: "Why should Edmund Langley be placed before his elder brother John of Gaunt? The title of 'Berkely' should be simply 'Lord,' as that family were not made Earls till the time of Charles II. Shakespeare only calls him 'Lorde Barkley.' I would recommend that the name of 'Sir Pierce Exton' should be placed after that of 'Sir Stephen Scroop,' as the latter was actually a baron of Parliament. The 'Duchess of York' should have precedence over the 'Duchess of Gloucester,' whose husband was the youngest son of Edward III."
[Note II.]
I. 1. 2. Band is given by Minsheu with the sense of 'obligation' (Guide into Tongues, 1617). Both words band and bond were concurrently in use with the same sense. In this play, V. 2. 65, the first four Quartos read band, the Folios and the fifth Quarto bond, while in the 67th line both Quartos and Folios agree in bond.
[Note III.]
I. 1. 149. In this place and in several others Capell in his Various Readings has attributed the reading of the fourth Quarto to the third. The same error is found 34. 5, Brittaine; 46. 22, two; 46. 31, profession; 47. 11, impresse; 48. 21, from my; 49. 26, can cannot; 78. 17, night; 88. 30, the how; 92. 18, have holp.