The Shakespeare Book

Gloucester’s wife. Gloucester

resigns as Protector. York reveals

his claim to the throne to Salisbury

and his son Warwick who pledge

allegiance. Gloucester is distressed

when Eleanor is banished.

In Parliament, Margaret and

Suffolk denounce Gloucester, but

Henry defends him feebly. England’s

territories in France have been

lost, while York and Suffolk order the

arrest of Gloucester. Henry is upset,

but Margaret, York, and the Cardinal

agree that Suffolk should have

Gloucester murdered. York is sent to

Ireland to quell a rebellion and, given

an army, he sees his chance. When

Henry hears of Gloucester’s death,

he is distraught and turns against

Suffolk. Warwick shows Gloucester’s

body to prove he was murdered and

accuses Suffolk. Despite Margaret’s

pleas, Henry banishes Suffolk.

Margaret and Suffolk part sadly.

After a sea battle, Suffolk is

beheaded and his head sent to

Margaret. Jack Cade, encouraged

by York, begins a peasant’s

rebellion, killing Stafford and

others. The rebels head to London,

where Margaret cradles Suffolk’s

head. The rebels are persuaded to

THE FREELANCE WRITER 37

1.1–2 2.2 3.1–2

1.3 3.1 4.1–3

Henry VI marries Margaret.
Richard of York bides his
time. Eleanor of
Gloucester dreams of
making her husband king.

York gains the

support of

Salisbury and

Warwick for his

claim to the throne.

York ordered to Ireland.

Suffolk is blamed for

the murder of Gloucester

and banished.

Margaret and her

lover Suffolk seek

to bring down

Gloucester and set

a trap for

Gloucester’s wife.

News that all

England’s territories

in France are lost

goes almost unnoticed

amid the infighting.

Suffolk is

beheaded. Jack

Cade’s rebellion gains

momentum and heads

to London.

4.7–9

Cade’s rebellion is

dispersed and Cade

is killed. York has

landed from Ireland

demanding

Somerset’s arrest.

Act 1 Act 3 Act 5

5.1–4

York learns that

Somerset is free and

determines to

dethrone Henry.

York kills Clifford,

Richard kills

Somerset, and Henry

and Margaret flee.

disperse. Cade hides but is killed.

York has landed in England in force,

demanding the arrest of Somerset.

York reaches London intent on

claiming the throne. Buckingham

and the King assure him that

Somerset is in the Tower, but

Margaret arrives with Somerset.

York explodes and tells Henry that

his rule is over. As Salisbury and

Warwick switch allegiance to York,

war begins. At St. Albans, York kills

Clifford and his son Richard kills

Somerset. Margaret drags Henry

away to London. The Yorkists march

on London to proclaim their victory. ❯❯

Act 2 Act 4