Planché's research to determine historically accurate costume for the 1823 production of "King John" led to his developing a strong interest in the subject. When he published his first major work in 1834, "History of British Costume from the Earliest Period to the Close of the 18th Century", Planché described it as "the result of ten years' diligent devotion to its study of every leisure hour left me by my professional engagements". Prior to this Planché had published his costume designs for "King John" and the other Shakespeare plays, with "biographical, critical and explanatory notices". After travelling twice to the Continent, he wrote about his journeys in "Lays and Legends of the Rhine" (1826) and "Descent of the Danube" (1827).