for power. He initiates the removal of Gloucester's Lord Protectorship and further conspires to have him tried for treason. Winchester's schemes contribute to Gloucester's arrest and subsequent murder. Haunted by Gloucester's ghost, Winchester’s final moments are plagued with guilt, and he requests poison to ease his tortured conscience before he dies from illness.

Bevis (George Bevis)

George Bevis is one of Jack Cade's men, first appearing in Act IV, Scene ii. He humorously critiques the English government and laments the lack of respect for laborers, eventually capturing Lord Say.

Bolingbrook (Roger Bolingbrook)

Roger Bolingbrook appears in Act I, Scene iv, conjuring a spirit alongside Southwell and Jordan to answer the Duchess of Gloucester's queries. He is arrested and sentenced to death.

Buckingham (Duke of Buckingham)

A noble whose actions contribute to the weakening of the king’s governance, Buckingham seeks Gloucester's ruin. He arrests Eleanor for witchcraft and treason and informs the king of her arrest. Buckingham's ambition is evident, and his role is pivotal during Gloucester's downfall, although it diminishes thereafter.

Cardinal Beauford (Cardinal Beauford, Bishop of Winchester)

See Beauford.

Citizens

Citizens appear in Act IV, Scene v, providing Lord Scales with updates on Cade's rebellion.

Clerk (of Chartam)

Emmanuel, the Clerk, appears in Act IV, Scene ii, and is executed by Cade for his literacy, symbolizing Cade's disdain for the educated.

Clifford (Lord Clifford)

Accompanying Buckingham, Clifford persuades Cade's followers to cease their rebellion. Loyal to the king, he is slain by York at Saint Albons. His death is lamented by his son, who vows vengeance.

Clifford (Young Clifford)

Young Clifford, son of Lord Clifford, supports King Henry VI against York. After witnessing his father's death at Saint Albons, he delivers a poignant speech and vows retribution.

Commons

The commoners protest Gloucester's murder in Act III, Scene ii, demanding Suffolk's execution or banishment. Their love for Gloucester and fear for the king's safety are evident.

Dick

A butcher from Ashford and follower of Cade, Dick mocks Cade's claim of royal lineage and calls for the killing of all lawyers. Rewarded for his battle prowess, he gains a license to butcher during Lent.

Edward (son of Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York)

One of York's sons, Edward appears in V.i to support his father's claim to the throne.

Eleanor (Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester)

Ambitious for her husband, Eleanor dreams of queenship. She uses witchcraft to foresee the future but is betrayed and arrested, leading to her exile. She bids a sorrowful farewell to Gloucester before leaving for the Isle of Man.

Falconers

These non-speaking characters are present during the king's waterfowl hunt in Act II, Scene i.

Gentlemen

In Act IV, Scene i, two gentlemen are captured by pirates; one remains to transport Suffolk's body to the king.

Goffe (Matthew Goffe)

Sent by Lord Scales to defend London from Cade’s attack, Goffe is ultimately slain with his men.

Guards

Guards accompany Buckingham and York in Act I, Scene iv, during the arrest of the Duchess of Gloucester.

Herald

The Herald appears in Act II, Scene iv, summoning Gloucester to Parliament.

Holland (John Holland)

A supporter of Cade, Holland criticizes the aristocracy and participates in Cade's rebellion.

Horner (Thomas Horner)

An armorer accused of treason by his apprentice Peter Thump, Horner is sentenced to trial by combat and killed by Thump. His death parallels the nobles' disputes over the rightful king.

Hume (Sir John Hume)

A priest involved in Eleanor's witchcraft conspiracy, Hume is a double agent, ultimately arrested and sentenced to death.

Iden (Alexander Iden)

Alexander Iden, a landowner from Kent, kills Cade when surprised by him in his garden. He presents Cade’s head to the king and is rewarded with a knighthood.

Jordan (Margery Jordan)

A notorious witch who assists in summoning a spirit for Eleanor, Jordan is arrested and sentenced to be burned at the stake for witchcraft.

Ladies

These characters appear in court scenes to enhance the regality of the setting, although they are not specifically mentioned in stage directions.

Lieutenant

Leader of the pirates, the Lieutenant captures Suffolk and orders his execution, condemning him for his numerous political failures.

Lords

These characters appear in court scenes to enhance the regality of the setting and are mentioned in the character list but not in stage directions.

Margaret (Queen Margaret)

Queen Margaret, noted for her beauty and eloquence, is driven by ambition and love for Suffolk. She plots against the Duchess of Gloucester and helps to orchestrate Gloucester's murder. Despite her efforts to save Suffolk, he is banished, and her grief upon his death is genuine. Margaret briefly reemerges to challenge York's claim to the throne and urges the king to escape capture.

Master's Mate

In Act IV, Scene i, he plans to ransom a captured gentleman for 1000 crowns.

Mayor (of Saint Albons)

Introduces Simpcox and his wife to the king and summons the Beadle to expose Simpcox's fraud.

Messengers

Messengers, also known as "Posts," relay information about the Irish rebellion and the rapid development of Cade's uprising.

Michael

A member of Cade's faction, Michael alerts Cade to the arrival of Stafford's forces, advising him to flee.

Murderers

In Act III, Scene ii, the Murderers report Gloucester's assassination, ensuring it appears natural and unrevealed.

Neighbors

Neighbors appear to support Thomas Horner during his trial by combat, encouraging his drunkenness.

Officers

Officers accompany Eleanor on her penance and exile, acting under the Sheriff's command.

Old Clifford

See Clifford.

Petitioners

Petitioners mistakenly present their cases to Suffolk and the queen, seeking redress from injustices. Their mistreatment contrasts with the justice they would have received from Gloucester.

Plantagenet (Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York)

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, is notable for his soliloquies, revealing his ambition to claim the throne. He uses alliances and subterfuge, including inciting Cade’s rebellion, to seize power. His efforts culminate in the victory at the battle of Saint Albons.

Post

See Messengers.

Prentices

Robin, Will, and Tom support Peter Thump in his trial by combat against Horner, drinking to his success.

Queen Margaret

See Margaret.

Richard (son of Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York)

Future Richard III, he supports his father's claim to the throne and kills Somerset at the battle of Saint Albons.

Salisbury (Earl of Salisbury)

Father of the Earl of Warwick, Salisbury supports York's claim and attempts to protect Gloucester. Although his role is minor, he is instrumental in advocating York's cause. He concludes the play victorious at Saint Albons.

Sawyer

A follower of Cade, Sawyer is mentioned in stage directions during Cade's rebellion.

Say (Lord Say)

Lord Say is accused by Cade's men of treason and executed. His retreat to London fails, and his capture leads to his death.

Scales (Lord Scales)

Defender of the Tower of London against Cade's forces, Scales orders an attack to protect the city.

Sheriff

Commands officers during Eleanor's penance and exile in Act II, Scene iv.

Shipmaster

Plans to ransom a captured gentleman for 1000 crowns in Act IV, Scene i.

Simpcox

Feigning blindness and lameness, Simpcox is exposed as a fraud by Gloucester, who reveals his deception in front of the king.

Smith

A weaver and follower of Cade, Smith provides commentary on the absurdity of Cade's actions during the rebellion.

Soldiers

Soldiers partake in pivotal scenes from Cade's rebellion to the battle of Saint Albons, where the play culminates. A notable soldier mistakenly calls Cade by his real name, leading to his death.

Somerset (Duke of Somerset)

Initially siding against Winchester, Somerset joins other nobles against Gloucester. Appointed as France's regent, he loses its lands and is imprisoned upon York's return. His defiance leads to his downfall, ultimately killed by Richard at Saint Albons.

Southwell (John Southwell)

Southwell, a priest, assists in summoning a spirit and is arrested. He is sentenced to death by hanging.

Spirit

Summoned by the Duchess of Gloucester’s conspirators, the spirit named Asmath prophesies outcomes for the king, Suffolk, and Somerset, all of which come true.

Stafford (Sir Humphrey Stafford)

Captain of the guard who arrests Eleanor's accomplices, Sir Humphrey Stafford later fights Cade's forces alongside his brother, perishing in battle.

Stafford (William Stafford)

William Stafford, brother to Sir Humphrey, joins the battle against Cade's rebellion and dies alongside his brother.

Stanley (Sir John Stanley)

Assigned to guard Eleanor during her exile, Sir John Stanley treats her with sympathy and ensures her safety on the Isle of Man.

Suffolk (Duke of Suffolk)

Queen Margaret’s lover and an ambitious power-seeker, Suffolk manipulates political events through Margaret. He orchestrates Gloucester’s removal and murder but is ultimately banished and executed by pirates.

Thump (Peter Thump)

An apprentice who accuses his master, Horner, of treason. He triumphs in trial by combat, paralleling the nobles' disputes over royal succession.

Vaux

Vaux appears to inform the king of Winchester's imminent death, haunted by Gloucester’s ghost.

Warwick (Earl of Warwick)

Warwick, son of Salisbury, is a fierce supporter of York's claim. He proves pivotal in exposing Suffolk and Winchester's plot against Gloucester and supports York's assertion to the throne. He emerges victorious at Saint Albons.

Whitmore (Walter Whitmore)

Assigned to execute Suffolk, Whitmore carries out the task after capturing him, fulfilling personal revenge against Suffolk.

Wife (of Simpcox)

The wife of Simpcox supports her husband's pretense of disability, later confessing the deceit was out of necessity.

Winchester (Cardinal Beauford, Bishop of Winchester)

See Beauford.

York (Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York)

See Plantagenet.

Young Clifford

See Clifford.