Guide Note

Henry VI, Part 2 is a history play by William Shakespeare. It is the second part of the trilogy on Henry VI, and often grouped together with Richard III as a tetralogy on The Wars of the Roses. The main action of the play concerns the plot against the Duke of Gloucester by members of the royal court as well as the attempts by York to lay claim to the Throne.

Fast Facts

1. Writer: William Shakespeare
2. Setting: England
3. Premiere Date: 1592
4. Written: circa 1590
5. ISBN 978-1903436639
6. Primary source: Chronicles by Raphael Holinshed
7. First Publication: 1623

1. King Henry VI: King of England
2. Gloucester: Duke of Gloucester, Henry's Uncle and protector of England until Henry is old enough to rule.
3. Somerset: A lord of the court, plots against Gloucester with Margaret, Suffolk and Beaufort.
4. Beaufort: The head of the English church long-standing grudge with Gloucester whom he plots against with Margaret, Salisbury, Somerset and Suffolk.
5. York: Believes he is the rightful heir to the throne of England.
6. Suffolk: A lord of the court, plots with Somerset, Margaret and Beaufort against Gloucester
7. Warwick: A lord of the court who joins Salisbury in supporting York.
8. Salisbury: A lord of the court, he joins Warwick in supporting York as the true king.
9. Queen Margaret: Married to Henry but carries on an affair with Suffolk. She plots with Somerset, Suffolk and Beaufort against Gloucester

• Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious gold. 1.2

• Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. 3.1

• More can I bear than you dare execute. 4.1

• The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. 4.2