How much, if any, of the Elizabethan history play ‘Edward III’ was written by William Shakespeare?

An opportunity to find out will come when Lancaster University students stage a performance at Lancaster Castle next month.

‘The Raigne of King Edward the Third’, commonly shortened to ‘Edward III’, was printed anonymously in 1596, and reprinted in 1599, the same year as Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’, with which it has strong similarities.

Like some other co-authored plays, it was not included in the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays (1623), but it began to be included in publications of the complete works of Shakespeare in the nineteenth century and then again in the late 1990s.

Every summer Lancaster University’s flag-ship undergraduate Shakespeare course, in the Department of English Literature and Creative Writing, culminates in a full-scale production at Lancaster’s very own spectacular medieval Castle.

In this year’s production of ‘Edward III’,Shakespearestudents work alongside a professional director and actors as performers, assistant directors, designers of costumes and props, and marketing.

Professor Alison Findlay, who leads the course, says: “Performing ‘Edward III’in Lancaster Castle will allow us to test out the script, and the claims of authorship, in a venue that has its own historical links to King Edward III and his son John of Gaunt.

“There are good reasons why the play was not included in the First Folio, but how much of the play Shakespeare wrote and who might have written the rest is an open question.

“Like Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’, the play dramatises England's invasion of France, which we will stage with full historic costumes and military pageantry.”

The play also includes a romantic plot featuring a very resourceful heroine, who anticipates later female roles like Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra.

“We take full advantage of Lancaster Castle’s walled historic courtyard and ‘A Wing’ to bring the story to life,” adds Professor Findlay, who is chair of the British Shakespeare Association.

Performances will take place at 7pm from June 1 to 3. Access will be through the main John of Gaunt gate from 6.45.pm and seating is provided. To book please scan the code on flyers or posters or visit the Lancaster University Online Store, Edward III by Shakespeare?