The Prisoner: Princess Elizabeth
Scenes from The Prisoner: Princess Elizabeth first played at HMS Tower of London, in the Salt Tower, 9-11 July 2003.
Princess Elizabeth – Susan Basso
Robert Dudley – Mike Norton
Marquess of Winchester – Gordon Ridout
Directed by Jessica Brewster
Produced by Bard Unbound
Costumes by The Royal Shakespeare Company
These scenes are historical interpretations, and, when possible, are based on the writings of Elizabeth I when she was held prisoner during the reign of her sister, Queen Mary.
Act I
Scene 5
March 1554
The Tower of London – Bell Tower
Elizabeth, in her early 20s, kneels in prayer.
ROBERT DUDLEY, in his early 20s, enters.
ROBERT: Elizabeth.
She is surprised to see him.
ELIZABETH: Oh, Robert! (She embraces him.) You should not be here! It’s not safe; if they find you . . . I cannot loose you, Robert. I could not bear it.
ROBERT: It’s but a few steps back to my cell; nothing could keep me from you.
ELIZABETH: How did you get out?
ROBERT: The guards are easily persuaded . . . our servants stand guard. I’ve missed you these long weeks.
ELIZABETH: And, I, you.
ROBERT: Wyatt has been executed. (beat) Try not to be afraid of them, Elizabeth. I’ve received word that support for you is growing. The city is in turmoil. The Protestants shall not lie down so easily for the queen, nor will those who do not deny that you are your father’s daughter. They will not execute without proof.
ELIZABETH: They have none!
ROBERT: Remember that, then, when the council questions you.
Robert paces nervously.
ELIZABETH: What is it, Robert?
ROBERT: (he wants to tell her something, but changes his mind) I . . . I do not do well caged . . . They have no proof that my brothers nor I were involved with my father’s attempt to put Jane on the throne, yet like you, we are kept prisoners here.
ELIZABETH: You were sent to capture Mary, is that not proof enough?
ROBERT: He sent me for Mary . . . and had I captured her neither of us would be here. But I never thought to endanger you, Elizabeth. I would never betray you. And, Jane, she wanted no part of it. She wept and swooned when she found out what they wanted of her – and for their ambition she is dead – not mine, Elizabeth! Not mine!
ELIZABETH: Dead at 17, but she was a threat to Mary’s throne.
ROBERT: In the hands of such men, yes . . . but not of her own will. (sad but thoughtful) My father deserved so to die, and he himself said the same. He asked for the queen’s forgiveness, and for our prayers. You may not think he deserveth any, but he was my father Elizabeth, and I do pray for him.
ELIZABETH: He who renounced my father’s faith to embrace Mary’s even when he looked Heaven in the face. You pray for him?
ROBERT: Alas, he is my father, I do. But I swear I will never betray you. (passionately) You are my queen, Elizabeth! You have long ruled my heart . . . and you will soon rule this realm. You will be queen!
ELIZABETH: Do not speak so loudly.
ROBERT: Queen Mary will surely not harm her own sister.
ELIZABETH: Her bastard sister!
ROBERT: You are your father’s daughter! The people know you are no bastard; for if you were, Mary would be as such. Nor does she have the proof with which to damn you.
ELIZABETH: In this place we are already damned.
ROBERT: You surely will survive. Neither my brothers nor I would harm you; and, I promise you my friendship and loyalty, as you have always had. (He makes Elizabeth look at him.) Do you believe me, Elizabeth? Do you believe me?
ELIZABETH: I try, Robert. I try, but it seems that even my friends might turn against me to save themselves. (She grows thoughtful) But under such persuasion, the council could turn the tongue of my most beloved friend.
ROBERT: No torture could turn my tongue against you. I have known you since you were eight years old – and since then you have been my dearest Elizabeth. I love you, Elizabeth; I would never hurt you.
ELIZABETH: Never? You’ve not hitherto been shy of the affection of other women. Some of whom should not even have been privy to a second glance.
ROBERT: I’ll never glance once at another if you command it.
ELIZABETH: (laughs) Command it? Robert, I will not command the heart of a married man.
ROBERT: (seriously) But you already do.
This is the first time Robert has spoken of his true feelings for Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: Don’t tease, Robert . . .
ROBERT: I have never spoke more truly than I do now. And if you require that I shout it out to all of London for you to believe me, (speaking more loudly) then I’ll tell them all!
ELIZABETH: Don’t be a fool.
ROBERT: I’m love’s fool, Elizabeth. You have my heart. When I thought I might go to the block without you knowing, I . . . I could not die without telling you. I love you, Elizabeth.
She is quiet for a moment.
ROBERT: Do you not feel the same? (beat) Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH: My feelings are of little consequence in this place.
ROBERT: Damn this place! I’ll not go unto the block without knowing your heart.
ELIZABETH: You’ll not go to the block, Robert!
He comforts her.
ROBERT: What say you, Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH: I do love you, my Lord Robert.
They have their first romantic kiss.
ROBERT: Had I you, I’d never need the touch of another. You are more beautiful than a hundred of your most beautiful maids. I promise you, Elizabeth, if I ever propose again it will be you.
ELIZABETH: I wish the time were now . . . If only things were different . . . women do not belong to themselves, and kings and queens are slaves to their countries. Their hearts are not their own, nor are their lives. (beat) Oh, Robert, if I were ever to marry it would be to you. But from all that I have seen, marrying hinders a woman’s station, not elevates it . . . not one of all my father’s wives was the better for having married him. And your wife, Robert, she needn’t have married you. You’ve spent your time serving on me at court while she’s tucked away in Oxfordshire.
ROBERT: What does it matter, you are my love Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: I thought I was your queen.
ROBERT: My queen and my love.
They kiss again, tenderly then passionately.
There is scrambling in the outer chamber.
He kisses her one last time.
ROBERT: Tell them nothing! God save you.
Robert hurries to the door.
ELIZABETH: And you, Lord Robert.
He exits.
Scene 6
The Marquess enters Elizabeth’s cell.
He places a chair in the centre of the room for Elizabeth.
He nods to it.
MARQUESS: No doubt you’ve heard of Wyatt’s execution.
Elizabeth nods.
ELIZABETH: Have you come, then, to hear my confession?
MARQUESS: The sooner you confess, the less you will suffer.
ELIZABETH: How could I suffer less – being brought here.
MARQUESS: Sit.
ELIZABETH: I shall not take commands from you as if I were a common mongrel from the street.
The Marquess stifles his impatience.
MARQUESS: Please lady, sit. I’m sure it will be some comfort to you.
She nods to him and sits.
MARQUESS: Wyatt and others have already spoken against you my lady. You would be better served if you confess.
ELIZABETH: I have nothing to confess! I am her Majesty’s most humble and obedient servant.
MARQUESS: But you are Protestant! You threaten and plot for both her life and her crown.
ELIZABETH: I have done neither! I am guilty of nothing. I attend mass.
MARQUESS: You pretend!
The Marquess glances at a piece of parchment as he speaks.
MARQUESS: We are finding new proofs against you each day, my lady. We have witnesses who have confessed to the preparation of arms and provisions that you made for the sole purpose of rebelling against the queen. And further proof that you sent those supplies to Donnington where you planned to seek refuge upon such a rebellion. Do you deny this?
Elizabeth does not respond.
MARQUESS: Donnington? Why did you propose to remove yourself thus?
At first Elizabeth refuses to answer, she thinks . . .
ELIZABETH: (evasive) Donnington? Have I a house in Donnington?
MARQUESS: Do not feign ignorance! We have proof of contracts that you were to remove yourself thus! (beat) Shall I have them bring Croft?
Elizabeth grows rigid.
MARQUESS: What’s the matter my lady, has your memory been revived by the mere mention of a name?
ELIZABETH: Indeed, I do now remember that I have such a place, but I never lay in it in all my life. And as for any that hath moved me thereunto, I do not remember.
MARQUESS: You cannot deny that you had a conversation with Sir James Croft. Or are you so bold as to deny it?
Elizabeth is silent for a moment.
MARQUESS: Do not deny what can be proved! What say you, Lady Elizabeth?
ELIZABETH: Yes. And as concerning my going unto Donnington castle, I do remember that Mr Hoby and mine officers and Sir James Croft, had such a talk. But what is that to the purpose, my lord, but that I may go to mine own house at all times? (she holds fast) As for Wyatt, I assume that if he had spoken any of that which you call “proof”, you would already have seized me with it.
The Marquess, defeated, sighs.
MARQUESS: You speak truth, my lady. For, Wyatt has left none. (he reads from a piece of parchment) He spoke thus before his death, “And whereas it is said and whistled abroad that I should accuse my lady Elizabeth’s grace and my lord Courtenay; it is not so, good people. For I assure you neither they nor any other now in yonder hold or durance was privy of my rising or commotion before I began. As I have declared no less to the queen’s council. And this is most true.” The saying of the late Sir Thomas Wyatt before his execution.
Elizabeth relaxes a bit for the first time.
ELIZABETH: As I have maintained, there is no proof. (beat) What shall be done with me, my lord?
MARQUESS: The council will debate, my lady. And the queen . . .
ELIZABETH: The queen . . . has no pity even for her sister, nor any remembrance of her promises . . . (Elizabeth gazes out the window) Has Lady Jane’s scaffold been taken away or no?
MARQUESS: Not yet, my lady. Not yet.
He exits.
From Act I, Scene 5
Elizabeth, alone, prays to a cross etched in the Tower wall.
ELIZABETH: Help me now, O God, for I have none other friends but Thee alone. And suffer me not (I beseech Thee) to build my foundation upon the sands, but upon the rock, whereby all blasts of blustering weather may have no power against me. And, grant, O God, that the wicked may have no power to hurt or betray me; neither suffer any such treason and wickedness to proceed against me. For Thou, O God, canst mollify all such tyrannous hearts and disappoint all such cruel purposes. And I beseech Thee to hear me, Thy creature, which am thy servant and at Thy commandment, trusting by Thy grace ever so to remain. Amen.
