Bardology

Henry VI Part One (1592)

The English army face defeat in France – triggered by the emergence of the inspirational Joan exploiting deep-seated divisions among the English nobility: Gloucester and Winchester compete over access to an ineffectual monarch, while Plantagenet and Somerset fall out over past quarrels, marking their dispute with symbolic roses.

The English general Talbot is released from captivity, to be joined by his son in the defeat at Bordeaux: both are killed. Cowardice and further division are blamed for defeat, but Joan is eventually captured and executed, before Suffolk, pursuing his own agenda, saddles the king with a bride of his own choosing.

Henry VI Part Two (1591)

The arrival of Margaret as Henry’s wife costs England her last provinces in France and deprives York of his role as Regent. In league with the Queen, Suffolk brings down Eleanor, Gloucester’s ambitious wife, while Winchester forces Gloucester’s resignation. Henry’s “Protector” is confident all will be well – until Suffolk has him murdered.

Suffolk is banished, then murdered himself, while York, his eyes on the crown, uses Jack Cade to foment insurrection in London. The rebellion fizzles out, but York returns from Ireland preparing to engage the hapless king in battle. His victory at St Albans anticipates bitter conflicts to come.

Henry VI Part Three (1593)

Henry agrees that York will succeed him, but harmony is short-lived and battle is soon rejoined. York is among the casualties, along with Rutland. In this war fathers kill sons, and sons kill fathers.

Henry is arrested and held in the Tower, leaving Edward King of England. But his plans to marry Lady Grey generate further divisions. Richard, the secretive younger brother, emerges as a threat.

Edward is deposed and imprisoned but escapes, and returns from France with new forces to arrest Henry. After further conflict, Henry’s son is murdered – prelude to Richard’s cold-blooded stabbing of the ineffectual former King.

Henry VIII (1613)

Cardinal Wolsey is determined to destroy Buckingham, and uses an embittered ex-employee against him. Another of Wolsey’s enemies, Queen Katharine, points out that this witness is unreliable, but Buckingham is convicted and executed.

Now Katharine is in danger because Wolsey wants the king to divorce her and marry the King of France’s sister.

But the King is attracted to Anne Bullen, and after his divorce, she becomes Queen. Meanwhile Wolsey is destroyed by his own ambition, and dies a pauper’s death.

Cromwell is the new power in the land, and the plays ends with Archbishop Cranmer predicting a bright future.

Summaries

Henry VI Part One (1592)

Henry VI Part Two (1591)

Henry VI Part Three (1593)

Henry VIII (1613)

Bardology

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A Stratford Childhood and After

Elizabethan Shakespeare (1)

Elizabethan Shakespeare (2)

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