The Shakespeare Book

to rouse Henry to fight. In the Battle
of Towton, Warwick saves Richard
from Clifford. Henry laments the
tragedy of civil war. Clifford is killed,
the Yorkists are victorious, and
Edward is crowned King Edward IV.
Henry is captured. In London,
Edward IV blackmails Lady Gray
into a marriage. Richard (now Duke
of Gloucester), railing against his
deformities, reveals his ambition to
be king. Meanwhile, Henry has
been sent to the Tower of London.
Margaret appeals for help to the
French King Louis and learns that
Warwick is arranging a wedding

between Edward and Louis’ sister,

Lady Bona. Just as Louis agrees

to the wedding, news arrives of

Edward’s marriage to Lady Gray.

Warwick disavows Edward and

joins with Margaret.

In England, Edward learns that

his brother George, now Duke of

Clarence, has joined Warwick and

the Lancastrian forces. Warwick

raids Edward’s camp, takes the

crown from Edward, and makes

him a prisoner. Henry VI, restored to

power, makes Warwick and Clarence

his Protectors. But Edward, with the

help of Gloucester, escapes. At the

THE FREELANCE WRITER 41

1.1 1.4 3.1

1.2 2.1 3.3

Confronted by York,

Henry pledges the

crown to him, if he is

left to reign in peace.

Margaret and

Clifford taunt York

with the blood of his

youngest son before

executing him and

mounting his head

on the gates of York.

Henry is captured by

two gamekeepers in a

forest near Scotland.

Egged on by his son

Richard, York

decides to break his

oath to Henry and

seize the crown.

Joined by Warwick,

York’s sons pledge

their revenge on

Clifford and the

Lancastrians.

Warwick is

humiliated at King

Louis’ court and

turns against Henry.

Warwick, Clarence,

and the armies of

Lancaster march

against Edward.

4.2

Clarence

switches sides

to the Yorkists.

Act 1 Act 2 Act 5

5.5

The York brothers stab

to death the young

Prince Edward, but

refuse to kill Margaret.

She is banished to France.

head of his foreign army, Edward is

victorious and reclaims the throne,

imprisoning Henry in the Tower.

The Yorkists capture Coventry,

and Clarence rejoins his brothers.

Warwick flees but is killed. Queen

Margaret leads an army against the

Yorkists but is defeated and taken

prisoner. Edward IV, Gloucester, and

Clarence kill her young son, Edward,

but refuse to kill Margaret. In the

Tower, Henry taunts the deformed

Gloucester, who kills him and vows

to kill his brothers. Edward IV and

his queen have a new baby, but

Gloucester is already plotting. ❯❯

Act 3 Act 4