Act Summaries
Last Updated October 3, 2024.
Act I
In the royal court, the marriage of King Henry VI to Margaret, the daughter of
the Duke of Anjou, is announced, along with the terms of the peace treaty with
France. Neither announcement satisfies the nobles, who begin to bicker over who
will wield power in a nation governed by a feeble king. In the following scene,
the Duchess of Gloucester reveals her aspirations for her husband, the Lord
Protector and heir to the throne. She plans to consult a witch to foresee
future events. However, when she does, Buckingham and York arrest her and
scheme to bring about her husband's downfall. Meanwhile, among the common
people, a petitioner accuses his master of claiming that the Duke of York is
the legitimate heir to the throne. When the matter is brought before the king,
he requests Gloucester's judgment, who decrees that the master and his servant
must settle the dispute through single combat. Additionally, Gloucester decides
that Somerset will serve as regent in France instead of York.
Act II
The act begins with a falconry scene filled with references to the lofty
ambitions of the nobility. Before the gathered nobles, the king, and the queen,
a commoner named Saunder Simpcox and his wife enter, claiming that his sight
has been miraculously restored by Saint Albon. The king is convinced by their
tale; however, Gloucester cleverly exposes their deceit and sentences them to
be whipped. Buckingham arrives to announce the arrest of the Duchess of
Gloucester for consorting with witches and plotting against the king. The king
exiles her for life, orders the execution of the other conspirators, and
removes Gloucester from his position as Lord Protector. The Duke of Gloucester
speaks with his wife as she departs for exile; she foresees his downfall at the
hands of his adversaries. In a brief scene between the announcement of the
duchess's crime and her punishment, York explains to Salisbury and his son,
Warwick, why his claim to the throne is stronger than the king's, and they
pledge their allegiance to York. Meanwhile, Gloucester is summoned to appear at
the next session of Parliament.
Act III
In Parliament, the queen, along with Suffolk, Winchester, Buckingham, and York,
list the alleged faults of Gloucester, suggesting that the king should arrest
him. The queen claims Gloucester is ambitious and therefore a threat. Suffolk
accuses Gloucester of being deceitful and implies he might have been involved
in the duchess of Gloucester's conspiracy against the king. Winchester, York,
and Buckingham also highlight Gloucester's supposed wrongdoings, but the king
defends him.
Somerset, the regent in France, arrives to report that all English territories in France have been lost. Gloucester then enters and is arrested by Suffolk for high treason. Although the king believes Gloucester is loyal, he does nothing to save him and exits, overwhelmed with sorrow. The queen, Suffolk, York, and Winchester conspire to kill Gloucester before he can stand trial. A messenger arrives with news of a dangerous rebellion in Ireland, prompting the nobles to send York to suppress it.
York sees this as a chance to claim the crown and mentions the workers' revolt led by Jack Cade, which he has instigated. Following orders from Suffolk and Winchester, two murderers kill Gloucester, trying to make it appear as a natural death. Warwick inspects Gloucester's body, points out evidence of murder, and accuses Suffolk and Winchester of the crime. Suffolk and Warwick engage in a fight.
Salisbury enters to inform that the common people demand Suffolk be banished or executed for the murder of the beloved Gloucester. In response, the king exiles Suffolk from...
(This entire section contains 963 words.)
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England. Vaux arrives to report that Winchester is on the brink of death due to a sudden illness. On his deathbed, Winchester confesses to the king, Salisbury, and Warwick that he is guilty of Gloucester's murder.
Act IV
Suffolk is taken prisoner by pirates and executed. Cade and his followers
arrive. Before facing the king's forces, led by Sir Humphrey Stafford and his
brother, Cade grants himself knighthood, proclaiming himself as Sir John
Mortimer, a rightful heir to the throne. A battle ensues, resulting in Cade's
victory. The king and queen, along with Buckingham and Lord Say, are informed
about the rebels' advances and demands. The queen mourns Suffolk's death as his
head is presented. The rebels continue to succeed, forcing the king to retreat
to Killingworth. Cade, growing more power-hungry, captures and executes Lord
Say and his son-in-law. Buckingham and Lord Clifford negotiate with Cade and
his men, who are swayed by the promise of a pardon and the call to fight in
France rather than England. Cade escapes, hides, and is eventually killed by a
landowner, Alexander Iden, who catches him stealing from his garden. Meanwhile,
York returns from Ireland with an army, demanding the arrest of the traitor
Somerset. The king dispatches Buckingham to negotiate with York and orders
Somerset to be imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Act V
At Saint Albans, York is momentarily satisfied by Buckingham's announcement
that Somerset is imprisoned in the Tower. However, the queen arrives with
Somerset, who is evidently free. Enraged, York claims his right to the throne.
Somerset arrests him for treason, causing the nobles to align with either
faction. The Cliffords support the king, while York's sons, Edward and Richard,
along with Warwick and Salisbury, back York. The factions clash at the Battle
of Saint Albans. York's forces emerge victorious. York kills Old Clifford, and
Young Clifford, upon finding his father's body, vows fierce revenge on York and
his kin. Richard, York's son and the future Richard III, kills Somerset. The
king and queen retreat to London, with York and his allies in close pursuit,
aiming to capture the king before he can convene a parliament and label them as
traitors.