# Duke of Lorraine — Edward III character guide

> Duke of Lorraine in Edward III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lorraine, Charles Duke of Normandy, Philip, young Philip, gentle Philip

**First appearance:** 0001-act-i

## Snapshot

King John's silk-tongued envoy, sent across the Channel to summon Edward to do homage for Guyenne — or forfeit the dukedom entirely.

## Who they are

Lorraine arrives at Edward's court as the living voice of French authority, delivering his master's demand that the English king kneel within forty days or lose his claim. He is courtesy weaponized: every gracious phrase carries the weight of a threat, and he must stand in the room while Edward decides whether to answer with obedience or with war. His embassy is the spark that turns a genealogy dispute into an invasion.

## Relationships

### [King Edward III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/king_edward_iii)

_rivalry_

The Duke of Lorraine is a French nobleman and opponent of King Edward III in the Hundred Years' War.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Delivers King John of France's ultimatum and is defiantly rebuffed by Edward and the Prince.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Sent as an ambassador to King David, delivers messages to the King of France.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Reports on Edward's strength and the Scottish threat.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Reports to King John that the Genoese garrison's retreat caused the French army's panic and flight.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Sends a horse to Prince Edward, urging him to flee from the impending battle.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters/duke_of_lorraine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/edward_iii_se/characters