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'''The First Part of King Henry VI''' is a play written by William Shakespeare about the early reign of King Henry VI of England. Because King Henry was crowned at nine months old, this play includes very little of him. It mostly depicts the fall of France and the exploits of Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. It also includes Joan of Arc, who is portrayed as in the popular view as a witch. This play is only the first in a trilogy.  

'''The First Part of King Henry VI''' is a play written by William Shakespeare about the early reign of King Henry VI of England. Because King Henry was crowned at nine months old, this play includes very little of him. It mostly depicts the fall of France and the exploits of Lord Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. It also includes Joan of Arc, who is portrayed as a witch. This play is only the first in a trilogy.  

==Synopsis==

==Synopsis==

The play opens with the funeral of the victorious King Henry V, who in his life conquored France.  His relatives and brothers bemoan that his loss is great for England.  Before his funeral is over messengers arrive saying that the Dauphin (Prince of France) has reclaimed his kingdom and has conquored most English forces.  The Lord Regent, Duke of Bedford, goes to France to retake it for England.  Yet, even with England's great morale there is quarreling among the courtiers.  Especially between the Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Protector, and Bishop of Winchester.  There is no leading figure, because King Henry VI is only a boy at the beginning of the play.  The french forces under the Dauphin and Joan la Pucelle ([[Joan of Arc]]) defeat what English forces there are under brave soldiers such as the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Talbot.  Lord Talbot is the hero of the play and is honored for his bravery in France.  He is killed due to dissension and inactivity among English courtiers.  This play also begins the contention between the Duke of York, who believes he is heir to the crown, and the Duke of Somerset.  They start two factions called the red rose side (Somerset's) and the white rose side (York's.)  The play ends with the Duke of Suffolk going to fetch Margaret of Anjou to be Henry VI's wife.  Henry VI is not very powerful or commanding and does not make any major change.   

The play opens with the funeral of the victorious King Henry V, who in his life conquered France.  His relatives and brothers bemoan that his loss is great for England.  Before his funeral is over messengers arrive saying that the Dauphin (Prince of France) has reclaimed his kingdom and has conquered most English forces.  The Lord Regent, Duke of Bedford, goes to France to retake it for England.  Yet, even with England's great morale, there is quarreling among the courtiers.  Especially between the Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Protector, and Bishop of Winchester.  There is no leading figure, because King Henry VI is only a boy at the beginning of the play.  The french forces under the Dauphin and Joan la Pucelle ([[Joan of Arc]]) defeat what English forces there are under brave soldiers such as the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Talbot.  Lord Talbot is the hero of the play and is honored for his bravery in France.  He is killed due to dissension and inactivity among English courtiers.  This play also begins the contention between the Duke of York, who believes he is heir to the crown, and the Duke of Somerset.  They start two factions called the red rose side (Somerset's) and the white rose side (York's.)  The play ends with the Duke of Suffolk going to fetch Margaret of Anjou to be Henry VI's wife.  Henry VI is not very powerful or commanding and does not make any major change, except to send for Margaret to be his wife.   

    

    

==Characters:==

==Characters:==

'''John, Duke of Bedford:''' The uncle to the King and regent of France.  He quickly rouses to help the English's cause in France.  He is old and dies during the campaign.   

'''John, Duke of Bedford:''' The uncle to the King and regent of France.  He quickly rouses to help the English's cause in France.  He is old and dies during the campaign.   

'''Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester:''' Another uncle to the King and Lord-protector of England.  He seeks for the good of the Commonwealth and for his King.  He is hotly countered by his uncle, the Bishop of Winchester.   

'''Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester:''' Another uncle to the King and Lord-protector of England.  His desire is for the good of the Commonwealth and for his King.  He is hotly countered by his uncle, the Bishop of Winchester.   

'''Bishop of Winchester:''' Great-uncle to the King and highly ambitious.  He is angered against Gloucester and aims to kill him.   

'''Bishop of Winchester:''' Great-uncle to the King and highly ambitious.  He is angered against Gloucester and aims to kill him.   

'''Earl of Somerset:''' The lead rival against the Duke of York, who believes him to be treacherous.  He causes delay during the wars and is most responsible for Talbot's death.   

'''Earl of Somerset:''' The lead rival against the Duke of York, who believes him to be treacherous.  He causes delay during the wars and is most responsible for Talbot's death.   

'''Richard, Duke of York:''' The son of the traitor, Richard of Cambridge, who believes his father's death was treachery.  He wants the crown, but waits until Henry prove weaker.  He becomes a great warrior in France.  

'''Richard, Duke of York:''' The son of the traitor, Richard of Cambridge, who believes his father's death was treachery.  He wants the crown, but waits until Henry removed some of his support.  He becomes Lord Regent in France.  

'''Earl of Warwick:''' An older noble, who decides to support the Duke of York.   

'''Earl of Warwick:''' An older noble, who decides to support the Duke of York.   

'''Lord Talbot:''' The bravest General in France.  He is the hero of the play, and dies due to the inactivity and quarreling of other nobles.  

'''Lord Talbot:''' The bravest General in France.  He is the hero of the play, and dies due to the inactivity and quarreling of other nobles.  

'''Charles, the Dauphin:''' Heir to the french throne, but for Henry V.  He quickly retakes France for his own.

'''Charles, the Dauphin:''' Heir to the french throne, but for Henry V.  He quickly retakes France for his own using Joan of Arc.

'''Reignier, Duke of Anjou & Maine:''' A poor, but highly titled noble, who supports Charles, the dauphin.  He helps him in his battles.  He gladly gives his daughter to England, without giving any dowry.   

'''Reignier, Duke of Anjou & Maine:''' A poor, but highly titled noble, who supports Charles, the dauphin.  He helps him in his battles.  He gladly gives his daughter to England, without giving any dowry.   

'''Duke of Burgundy:''' A french noble, who is allied with the english, but is enticed back to the french.

'''Duke of Burgundy:''' A french noble, who is allied with the english, but is enticed back to the french by Joan of Arc.

'''Duke of Alencon, & Bastard of Orleans:''' The main leaders, who support Charles, the dauphin.

'''Duke of Alencon, & Bastard of Orleans:''' The leading french nobles, who support Charles' claim to the French throne.  

'''Margaret:''' Daughter to Reignier and betrothed to Henry VI.

'''Margaret:''' Daughter to Reignier and betrothed to Henry VI.

'''Joan La Pucelle:''' In reality Joan of Arc, but in this play she is portrayed in a darker light.  

'''Joan La Pucelle:''' In reality Joan of Arc, but in this play she is portrayed in a darker light.

<ref> [[Great Books: Shakespeare, Vol. 1]], Edited by William George Clarke and William Aldis Wright, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1952, pp.1-32.  </ref>  

<ref> [[Great Books: Shakespeare, Vol. 1]], Edited by William George Clarke and William Aldis Wright, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1952, pp.1-32.  </ref>