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King Henry VI, Part III Play
King Henry VI, Part Three, begins in the aftermath
of the Battle of St Albans. The York faction has won,
King Henry VI (House of Lancaster) and Queen Margaret
having gone into hiding. Now the Duke of York has fulfilled
his dream, becoming King of England. King Henry however,
has arranged a parley (discussion) with the Duke of
York and a deal is made... Henry VI will be given back
the crown if and only if the crown is given to
the House of York upon King Henry's death. The deal
agreed, Henry becomes King again.
However, Queen Margaret is infuriated; this deal will
rob her son Edward, the Prince of Wales of ever ruling
England. At Sandal Castle, son Richard III convinces
York that he can break his oath not to hurt Henry since
a magistrate did not witness it. Queen Margaret divorces
King Henry and having raised an army, intends to defeat
the Yorkists. Henry wishes the revolt the best of luck
since it is in his interests. The Duke of York wants
to kill Henry but Margaret's army numbers 20,000 against
their 5000. Margaret's army defeats the Yorkists at
Sandal Castle (the Battle of Wakefield), Margaret stabbing
and beheading the Duke of York and killing Rutland,
his youngest son. Unfortunately, the Yorkists succeed
in driving King Henry into hiding in Scotland, Queen
Margaret retreating to France. Clifford is wounded,
Edward IV and Warwick watching this before beheading
him.
With King Henry VI gone, Edward, York's first-born,
becomes the new King of England. Henry VI however, secretly
returns to England only to be put in the Tower of London
by Edward. Meanwhile, Margaret attempts to convince
the King of France to help Henry. Warwick then tries
to arrange for Edward to marry Bona, the French King's
sister in law. This switches the French's support not
to Henry as Margaret had hoped but instead to Edward.
Unfortunately, Edward decides to marry Lady Grey. Warwick,
intensely irritated by this, decides to join Margaret's
forces instead. Neither Edward's brothers George (Duke
of Clarence) and Richard III, nor Montague approve of
the marriage.
In England, the York's are squabbling amongst themselves.
Richard III wants to be King. George, less than pleased,
joins Margaret's faction, now blostered by both the
French and Warwick. Before battle can be joined however,
Edward is captured by Warwick, allowing Henry to reclaim
his throne. Lady Grey escapes with Edward's unborn child.
Unfortunately for Henry, Edward is rescued by brother
Richard III. Richard III now plans on facing Warwick
with an army he has been gathering, George choosing
to return to the York fold and support his brothers
again. At the Battle of Barnet, Edward defeats Warwick,
personally killing him. Henry's armies desert him. The
French attempt to counter-attack but Margaret and her
son, Edward, the Prince of Wales are both captured at
Tewksbury. York's sons kill the Prince of Wales, Henry's
son, but Margaret is shown mercy. Richard III, foreseeing
mercy for Henry, visits him in the Tower of London where
he kills Henry after Henry foresees a bloody future
for Richard. Richard III even confirms Henry's prophecy
after killing him. Henry's nephew Henry VII has been
hidden. Edward becomes King Edward IV, Richard III scheeming
to take the crown from brother Edward's grasp...
Contents
Dramatis
Personæ
Act I
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV
Act II
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V, Scene
VI
Act III
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III
Act IV
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V, Scene
VI, Scene VII, Scene
VIII
Act V
Scene I, Scene
II, Scene III, Scene
IV, Scene V, Scene
VI, Scene VII
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