# Earl of Salisbury — King John character guide

> Earl of Salisbury in King John by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Salisbury, Lord Salisbury, Salisbury The Count Melun, Salisbury Wounded, Salisbury Sir Richard, Salisbury O

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

An English earl whose conscience turns slowly and painfully against King John, and who weeps even as he marches under a foreign banner.

## Who they are

Salisbury is a loyal nobleman who becomes the play's most articulate reluctant rebel, swearing faith to the Dauphin while grieving that he must draw this metal from his side to be a widow-maker against his own country. He reads John's guilty face at Arthur's death and names it foul play, breaking openly with the crown. His divided loyalty — honourable rescue crying out upon the name of Salisbury even as he follows unacquainted colours — makes him the human measure of how thoroughly England has wounded itself.

## In the story

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

Present at court during the French embassy and the Faulconbridge dispute.

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

Delivers the news of the marriage to Constance and attempts to reason with her.

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

Leaves the court in indignation over Arthur's death, seeking his grave.

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

Leads the lords in condemning Hubert and the king, swears revenge, and decides to join the Dauphin.

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

Swears loyalty to Lewis but expresses deep anguish over rebelling against England and taking up arms against his own country.

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

Leads the English revolts, initially despairing but convinced by Melun's warning to return to King John.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-v-scene-vii)

Comforts Prince Henry, reveals the peace offer from the Dauphin via Pandulph, and joins in pledging loyalty to the new king.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/characters/salisbury
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_john_se/characters