Being a citizen of England in the King Lear universe must be.. interesting. 

Imagine you wake up one morning and find out that the King decided to resign and divide up his kingdom amount his daughters, except for some reason he exiled his youngest daughter? Who also married the King of France? Ok, you think that’s odd, but whatever. It doesn’t affect you.

Then about a week later England goes to war against France, for reasons that no one is entirely sure about. No one knows who the current Earl of Gloucester is supposed to be, or what’s even going on with that family. No one knows what happened to the ex-king- he seems to have just disappeared. 

A bit later you hear that the entire Lear family is dead. The Duke of Albany might be next in line for the throne, considering he was married to Lear’s oldest daughter? Also Gloucester’s oldest son was involved in attempted murder?? Or wasn’t?? News doesn’t travel that fast, and you’re a random english citizen who has no idea what’s going on.