Act I

The play, the first in a series that includes the three parts of Henry the Sixth and Richard III, starts with the funeral of Henry V. The English nobles mourn the king's death, argue among themselves, and discuss the future of their campaign in France. A group of messengers arrives, announcing that much of France has been lost and that Lord Talbot, England's esteemed hero, has been captured by the French. The English nobles pledge to defeat the French and reclaim the country for the young king, Henry VI. The scene then shifts to Orléans, where the English have driven back the French. Joan de Pucelle (Joan of Arc) inspires the disheartened French troops, vowing to lift the siege. Meanwhile, in London, the duke of Gloucester's men and those of the bishop of Winchester clash over weapons stored in the Tower of London, but the mayor intervenes to stop them. Back in France, during the siege of Orléans, the French kill Sir Thomas Gargrave and the earl of Salisbury. Talbot and Pucelle engage in an inconclusive fight, yet Joan's influence leads the French to recapture Orléans.

Act II

Under Talbot's leadership and with Burgundy's support, the English succeed in retaking Orléans. The countess of Auvergne invites Talbot to her castle, intending to imprison him, but her plan fails. In England, tensions rise as Richard Plantagenet (of the Yorkist faction) and the duke of Somerset (of the Lancastrian faction) begin to argue. They each choose a different colored rose to symbolize their cause, leading other noblemen to align themselves accordingly. Somerset accuses Richard Plantagenet's father of being executed for treason. Richard visits the dying Edmund Mortimer in prison, seeking answers about his father's fate. Mortimer recounts the recent history of English dynastic struggles, including the Lancastrian Henry IV's overthrow of the Yorkist Richard II.

Act III

The conflict between Gloucester and Winchester, which began in Act I, resumes. The king intervenes to prevent them from fighting, at least temporarily, and restores Richard Plantagenet's confiscated titles. In France, Pucelle and the French retake Rouen through stealth. The English regain it by force, though not before Sir John Falstaff retreats. Pucelle persuades the duke of Burgundy to join the French side. Henry VI honors Talbot by granting him the title of earl of Shrewsbury. Meanwhile, Vernon (a Yorkist) and Basset (a Lancastrian) engage in a dispute.

Act IV

In Paris, Henry VI is crowned as king. Sir John Falstaff is banished for his cowardice after delivering Burgundy's message about switching allegiances. Vernon and Basset request the king's permission to duel, while York and Somerset, their leaders, almost come to blows themselves. The king convinces both parties to cease their fighting, showing his support for the Lancastrian faction. Meanwhile, Talbot lays siege to Bordeaux, but both he and his son perish in the battle. The French emerge victorious, mainly because York and Somerset distrust each other too much to send reinforcements.

Act V

Through letters, the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor call for peace, proposing it be sealed by Henry VI's marriage to the daughter of the Earl of Armagnac. As the French army moves to free Paris, the English attack, capturing Pucelle. Suffolk captures Margaret, the daughter of Reignier, the Duke of Anjou. Enchanted by her beauty, he decides to make her his mistress and plans to convince Henry VI to marry her, intending to gain control of the kingdom. Reignier consents to the marriage. Pucelle encounters her father, a shepherd, but denies their connection, claiming she is of noble descent and pregnant. Despite this, she is sentenced to death by burning. The English and French reach a peace agreement; the king is persuaded by Suffolk to marry Margaret, even though he is already engaged to the Earl of Armagnac's daughter.