The play opens with the funeral of King Henry V, whose brother, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester is to rule as Lord Protector for the infant King Henry VI. The Duke of Bedford is Regent of France, where war continues against the English despite Henry V’s victory achieved a few years before, at Agincourt. News comes that the English champion and general Lord Talbot has been taken prisoner at the siege of Orleans.

At Orleans the English continue to hold the upper hand when Joan La Pucelle, a shepherd’s daughter who claims to have had visions of the Virgin Mary, comes to lead the French army and the siege is raised with her help. Talbot has been ransomed, but the French continue the attack as Joan fights with Talbot and temporarily wins the town back for France. Talbot accepts a courteous summons from the Countess of Auvergne who seeks, unsuccessfully, to trap him.

In England the King’s great-uncle, the Bishop of Winchester attempts to take control of the King against the Lord Protector, with consequent riots in London. In London’s Temple Garden the followers of the earls of Warwick and Suffolk take roses as their emblems in the continuing civil unrest: white is chosen by Warwick for Richard Plantagenet and the Yorkist cause, and red for John, Duke of Somerset and the Plantagenet claim. The imprisoned Edmund Mortimer, another claimant of the throne, sends for his nephew Richard Plantagenet and, before he dies, passes his Yorkist claim to him. As the young King Henry seeks to pacify the Lord Protector and the Bishop of Winchester he is interrupted by the Lord Mayor of London and angry citizens. Winchester, Gloucester and their servants are reconciled while the King creates Richard Plantagenet Duke of York despite Somerset’s continued dislike.

In France Joan brings her troops to Rouen and by a trick the city is entered and Talbot is expelled. Talbot and Joan parley, but in battle Joan is forced to flee with King Charles of France. Joan persuades the Duke of Burgundy, an English supporter, to change sides and help the French. King Henry and his lords arrive in France and reward Talbot’s championship by creating him Earl of Shrewsbury.

Henry is crowned King in Paris, and Talbot is sent to Burgundy while the King attempts to calm further York and Plantagenet arguments before he returns to England. Talbot challenges Burgundy at Bordeaux but his men are encircled by the French Dauphin’s army. Both York and Somerset delay and fail to send armies to Talbot’s aid. Fearing the worst Talbot tries to send his son away from danger, but instead they lead the English attack in which Talbot is mortally injured, and his son killed. The French, led by Joan, acknowledge Talbot’s prowess before a peace treaty is discussed, to be strengthened by the marriage of King Henry to a French wife. Internal French wars continue as Joan uses witchcraft to conjure up spirits, but they fortell the fall of France, and Joan is captured by the Duke of York.

Suffolk has been sent to find Henry a wife but falls himself for Margaret of Anjou, daughter of the penniless Reignier. Suffolk proposes Margaret as queen, while planning also to take her as his mistress. Joan pleads for her life but is condemned by Warwick and York. King Charles is persuaded to accept a peace treaty with England as Henry welcomes the description Suffolk brings him of Margaret, and the betrothal is arranged while Suffolk looks forward to being all powerful in England when his mistress becomes Queen of England.

© Marian J. Pringle
Special Collections Librarian
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust