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Henry
King of England at the beginning of the play, Henry is not a strong leader. His wife and his nobles complain about his contemplative nature and take advantage of him. For his part, Henry would rather not be king at all. He gets his wish when Edward usurps the throne, but he is soon made king again, before once again being dethroned by Edward. He is killed in prison by Richard.
Read an in-depth analysis of King Henry VI.
Margaret
Henry’s French wife, Margaret was wooed in Henry VI, Part 1 by Suffolk, who later became her lover. Her frustration with her Henry’s weakness grows in Part 2, and in this play she mercilessly scolds her husband for disinheriting their son by entailing the throne to York. She eventually takes control of the king’s army, leading the charge against York’s forces and helping to kill the duke. When Edward comes to the throne, Margaret goes to France to ask for aid and returns with new forces to lead into battle. Though her enemies curse her for her taking on the masculine role of a military leader, she is also the strongest inspirational force among all Henry’s supporters.
Read an in-depth analysis of Margaret.
Warwick
One of York’s chief allies, Warwick was a pivotal force in bringing Edward to the throne. Later, he is sent to France to negotiate for marriage between Edward and Lady Bonnë, sister-in-law of the king of France. When Edward marries someone else, Warwick feels slighted and switches his allegiance to Henry, joining Margaret’s army. Eventually, he is killed in battle with Edward’s forces.
Read an in-depth analysis of Warwick.
Edward
York’s eldest son, Edward inherits York’s struggle for the throne and seizes it soon after his father is killed in battle. But the new power soon blinds him to the need to listen to his advisors and brothers. When he marries Lady Grey, he alienates Warwick, who had negotiated for a wedding to the French king’s sister-in-law. Edward falls from the throne and is imprisoned, but he is freed by Richard and again becomes king at the end of the play.
Read an in-depth analysis of King Edward IV.
Richard
A younger brother of Edward and George, Richard is noted for having a humped back, a disabled leg, and an underdeveloped arm. He understands his physical deformities as a sign marking his radical difference from his brothers. Unlikely to enjoy a life of pleasure, Richard sets his sights on the throne. However, as he isn’t next in line, he must resort to scheming if he wants to claim it for himself. He performs the role of a good brother and subject while secretly planning to betray his own kin. When he murders Henry in his cell at the Tower, Richard declares himself severed from a world of family and brotherhood; he stands alone in his quest for the Crown.
Read an in-depth analysis of Richard.
York
Richard Plantagenet, the duke of York, believes that he is the true king of England. He set out the terms of his claim in Henry VI, Part 2, where he also galvanized support to make a move against Henry. In this play, he agrees to let Henry rule and receive the Crown on Henry’s death, but his sons urge him to seize the throne sooner. York dies in battle in the first act.
George
Edward’s younger brother, George returns from France after his father’s death, bringing reinforcements. George supports his brother until Edward marries Lady Grey, at which point he joins Warwick. However, he later rejoins his brother and helps defeat Warwick. George receives the title of the duke of Clarence from his brother, and he is often referred to as “Clarence” throughout the play and into Richard III. George is Richard’s next target at the end of the play.
Prince Edward
The son of Margaret and Henry, Prince Edward delights Henry’s supporters in his show of strength and courage—they hope he is another Henry V. However, he is eventually captured in battle and killed by York’s sons.
Rutland
York’s youngest son, killed by Clifford. Margaret dips a handkerchief in his blood taunts York with it when she captures him.
Clifford
Clifford’s father was killed by York at the end of Henry VI, Part 2, so Clifford begins this play with a lust for vengeance. He kills York’s young son Rutland, then York himself. He and Richard become enemies, and Richard tries to kill him on the battlefield, but Clifford dies from an arrow wound before Richard can find him.
Montague
One of Warwick’s relatives, Montague supports York, then Edward. At a certain moment, probably after Edward marries Lady Grey, Montague appears on Henry’s side and later is killed in battle alongside Warwick.
Westmorland
One of Henry’s supporters.
Exeter
One of Henry’s supporters.
Norfolk
One of Henry’s supporters.
Somerset
One of Edward’s supporters, he joins George in going over to Warwick’s side after Edward marries Lady Grey.
Northumberland
One of Henry’s supporters.
Lady Bonnë
Sister-in-law of Louis, the king of France. Edward proposes marriage to Lady Bonnë through the ambassadorship of Warwick, and she agrees. But when word arrives that Edward has married Lady Grey, Lady Bonnë asks her brother to lend support to those who would topple Edward.
Lady Grey
Lady Grey comes to Edward to ask him to restore her lands to her, as they were taken when her husband died. He proposes that she should become his lover, but she refuses. Then, he asks her to marry him, and she agrees, becoming the queen.
Louis
King of France. Louis lends support to Margaret when Edward insults his sister-in-law Lady Bonnë by marrying Lady Grey instead.
Oxford
One of Henry’s supporters.
Rivers
One of Edward’s supporters, and the brother of Lady Grey.
Hastings
One of Edward’s supporters.
Montgomery
One of Edward’s supporters.
Richmond
The young Henry, earl of Richmond, meets Henry when he is first freed from prison by his supporters. Henry prophesies big things for Richmond. In fact, Richmond is the future Henry VII, and he will help found the house of Tudor and end the Wars of the Roses when he defeats Richard in Richard III.
Soldiers
Henry watches from the field as various soldiers bring bodies from the field, one discovering he has accidentally killed his own son, and another his father.
