| Henry VI Part 3 |
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Part Three of the trilogy begins after Warwick has defeated Henry in battle. Henry agrees that York shall be his heir, so disinheriting his own son, Prince Edward. Angered by this, Queen Margaret leads her army against York who is captured and taunted by the Queen before Clifford kills him in revenge for his father's death. York's sons, Edward and Richard renew their pledge against Henry, and welcome Warwick as their ally, despite his retreat before the Queen's forces. In the ensuing battle King Henry withdraws to contemplate the peace of a country life, before he sees the evil effects of civil war on both the fathers and the sons of his subjects. Henry flees to Scotland as Edward, now Duke of York, is victorious. York claims the English throne and sends Warwick to arrange a marriage for him with the French king's sister, Lady Bona. Henry returns disguised, but is captured and imprisoned as Richard, now Duke of Gloucester, reveals his ambition to become king. Queen Margaret and her son seek aid in France where Warwick's efforts on King Edward's behalf are thwarted by the news that Edward has married Elizabeth, Lady Grey. This insult leads Warwick to join forces with Margaret, arranging for his daughter to marry Prince Edward and freeing King Henry. George, Duke of Clarence, dismayed at his brother's marriage, joins Warwick's forces and helps take King Edward prisoner. Edward escapes to the city of York and thence to London where he recaptures King Henry and commits him to the Tower. While Warwick refuses to yield to King Edward, Clarence rejoins his brother and Warwick dies in the ensuing battle. Edward confronts Queen Margaret at Tewkesbury where Prince Edward is killed by the three York brothers. Margaret pleads for death, but is exiled to France. Edward and his Queen Elizabeth prepare to enjoy their reign, not knowing that Gloucester has sought out and killed King Henry, preparing the way for his own eventual rise to the throne that Shakespeare presented in his play of 'Richard III'. 'Henry VI, Part 3' was written early in Shakespeare's career and was successfully staged about 1592, but the complete text was not printed until the 'First Folio' of 1623.
© Marian J. Pringle
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Shakespeare's first two plays on the reign of Henry VI told of the rebellion of France led by Joan of Arc and her defeat and death before the loss of France from English rule. Later the civil uprising led by Jack Cade, assisted by the Duke of York had further defined the factions of Lancaster and York as the young King Henry struggled for control. The Yorkist followers had chosen white roses as their symbol, while Henry's Plantagenet, Lancastrian, supporters wore the red rose. 
