The Shakespeare Book

36

THE COMMONS LIKE

AN ANGRY HIVE OF

BEES THAT WANT

THEIR LEADER

SCATTER UP

AND DOWN

HENRY VI PART 2 (1590–1591)

Y

oung King Henry VI is

overjoyed as Suffolk hands

the beautiful Margaret of

Anjou to him to be his queen. Lord

Protector Gloucester and Warwick

are appalled at the political cost—

the return of Anjou and Maine to

France. York reveals that he aims to

take the crown himself. Gloucester’s

wife Eleanor dreams that he should

be king. Margaret and her lover

Suffolk determine to bring down

Gloucester by setting a trap for his

wife. Eleanor is seen consulting

with witches who prophesy the

king’s overthrow. She is arrested.

While he is out hawking with

the queen at St. Albans, Henry

receives news of the arrest of

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

THE KING’S PARTY

King Henry VI

Queen Margaret

William de la Pole,

Marquis, later Duke,

of Suffolk

Duke of Gloucester

Dame Eleanor Cobham

Cardinal Beaufort

Duke of Buckingham

Duke of Somerset

Lord Clifford

DUKE OF YORK’S PARTY

Richard, Duke of York

Edward

Earl of Salisbury

Earl of Warwick

OTHERS

Jack Cade

Sir Humphrey Stafford