Vortigern; an historical play

"Vortigern; an historical play" by W. H. Ireland is a historical drama written in the late 18th century. The play revolves around Vortigern, a king who grapples with ambition and treachery as he seeks to secure power and control over Britain. Amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and familial conflict, the narrative explores themes of betrayal, ambition, and the moral quandaries associated with the pursuit of power. The opening of the play sets the stage for a narrative filled with conspiracies and moral dilemmas. Vortigern is introduced as a character ambivalent about his ambition, contemplating whether to seize the kingdom by orchestrating the deaths of rival claimants—the princes of the previous king. Meanwhile, his family dynamics complicate matters, particularly with his daughter, Flavia, who is caught in a web of loyalty to her father and love for Aurelius, one of the princes. The initial scenes establish a tense and dramatic atmosphere, foreshadowing the conflict that will arise as both personal and political confrontations unfold. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Henry Ireland (1775–1835) was an English forger of would-be Shakespearean documents and plays. He is less well known as a poet, writer of gothic novels and histories. Although he was apparently christened William-Henry, he was known as Samuel through much of his life, and many sources list his name as Samuel William Henry Ireland.