In full The Life and Death of King John, a chronicle play in five acts, first produced in 1596-97 and published in the First Folio of 1623 from an authorial fair copy. The source of the play is a two-part drama generally known as The Troublesome Raigne of John King of England. This earlier play, first printed in 1591, based on the chronicles of Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall. Shakespeare made few changes to the plot in his version, but the dialogue and insights about the characters are all his own.

The title figure provides the central focus of the play and is surrounded by many contrasting characters--each able to influence him, each bringing irresolvable and individual problems into dramatic focus. Chief among these characters are John's domineering mother, Queen Eleanor (formerly Eleanor of Aquitaine), and the Philip, who supports the king and yet mocks all political and moral pretensions.

A messenger from France arrives in the English court, demanding that King John abdicate his throne in favour of his nephew Arthur. The messenger speaks for King Philip of France, who supports Arthur's claim as the rightful heir to the throne; when John refuses to step down, France threatens war.

Philip Faulconridge (also known as Philip the Bastard), and his younger brother enter to dispute their inherited lands. John rules that the Philip has the right to the lands, because a wife's offspring become a father's heir, no matter who the actual father. John's mother, Eleanor, takes a liking to the Philip, because it is rumoured that his father was her son and John's brother, Richard the Lionhearted. She proposes that he leave his lands to his younger brother and join her armies under the name of the Bastard of Richard the Lionhearted. He agrees, and John knights him.

In France, Philip and his forces prepare to attack the English-held town of Angers unless its citizens swear allegiance to Arthur. John and his armies arrive; Arthur's mother, Constance, and Eleanor insult each other, as various members of each side argue. Each king asks Anger's citizens, whom has their support as the King of England, but the citizens say they support the rightful king. Philip and John's armies go to war, but are so equally matched neither one can claim a decisive victory. The citizens of Angers still will not decide between them. Philip suggests that the English and French armies unite to conquer the disobedient town of Angers, and then fight each other later. They agree and prepare to attack. At this point, the citizens of Angers suggest an alternative. Marry Philip's son Louis to John's niece Blanche, they suggest, then peace can be settled. Louis and John are pleased with the idea, because it strengthens John's ties to the throne, and Louis gains English-held French territory. The Philip marvels at the changeable minds of the nobles.

Constance is upset by the turn of events and blames Philip for having abandoned his support for Arthur when presented with a more fruitful bond to the English throne. Louis and Blanche are married when Pandolf, an ambassador from the pope, arrives. He charges John with having disobeyed the pope in the matter of the posting of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but John is not about to obey the orders of the distant pope. Pandolf excommunicates John and charges Louis with the duty of overthrowing John. Philip, whose family has recently linked to John's by marriage, hesitates while his nobles try to influence him. Pandolf reminds him that his ties to the church predate his connection with John and threatens excommunication. Finally, Philip gives in and breaks with John, the French to resume their warfare upon King John.

In the conflict that follows, John's army beats back the French and captures Arthur. John prepares to return to England, leaving his mother in charge of English-held French territories and sending the Philip ahead to collect the finances of the English monasteries. John instructs Hubert to look after Arthur and then asks him surreptitiously to kill him. Meanwhile Pandolf tries to encourage the French to fight, suggesting to Louis that he now can lay the same claim to the throne of England as Arthur, because he has married into a branch of the English royal family. Louis agrees to attack England.

Hubert tries to kill Arthur but he is so enchanted with Arthur's innocence that he is unable. He tells Arthur that no one can know he is alive. Meanwhile John's lords have asked for Arthur's released, so John agrees to order Arthur's freedom. Hubert enters and reports that Arthur is dead; the lords believe Arthur was assassinated and depart to join Louis's army. The Philip returns from the monasteries, reporting that the people are not happy about John robbing the monasteries, and they predict John's downfall. John yells at Hubert, accusing him of having tricked him into ordering the death of Arthur, which he claims he never wanted. Finally, Hubert reveals that Arthur is alive. A relieved John sends him after the departed lords to report the news.

Arthur tries to flee England but foolishly leaps off a castle wall and falls to his death. The lords come upon his body and are horrified at the brutality they believe was used to kill the boy, ironically suspecting John of the murder-, which was his original intent-. Hubert enters and reports that Arthur is alive; the lords point out Arthur's body and accuse Hubert of having killed him. Hubert says Arthur was alive when he left him. The lords depart to meet Louis.

Meanwhile, John arranges a peace of sorts with Pandulph; he agrees to honour the pope if Pandolf can turn away the French army. The Philip arrives to report the departure of the lords; John tells him about his deal with Pandolf. The Philip wants to fight the French and leads John's army at his behest.

John's departed lords swear allegiance to Louis. Pandolf arrives with news that John has reconciled with Rome and tries to dissuade Louis from attacking, John now being back in the folds of the Church, but Louis says he will not be ordered around by anyone and the forces clash at St. Edmundsbury. The Philip arrives to speak to Louis and threatens him with terrible destruction at the hands of the English armies unless Louis retreats. Each side prepares for battle.

During the battle, a fallen French noble named Melun warns the turncoat English noblemen that the King of France will have them executed just as soon as he has conquered John. The nobles, seeing the winds of fortune shift, return their allegiance to King John. Louis's reinforcements are lost at sea, greatly dimming his prospects of victory. Without his allies, the French king comes to terms with Pandulph and John.

Meanwhile the Philip meets Hubert, who reports that John poisoned by one of the monks while staying at Swinstead Abbey where he had been awaiting reports from the Philip. His son will ascend to the throne as King Henry III. The English lords and John's son Prince Henry gather around the ill King. The Philip reports that he has lost many of his men, who drowned in a tide.

John dies from the monk's poison. The Philip prepares to attack Louis, but the nobles report that Pandolf had just brought them a peace treaty from Louis. The Philip and the lords swear allegiance to Henry, and the Philip speaks of how England will never be taken by foreign conquerors unless it is first damaged by internal strife.