Find out more about Shakespeare's Henry VI Part I as well as information on current and past productions of the play.
Plot synopsis
Following the death of his father Henry V, the young Henry VI is proclaimed king under the protectorship of his uncles, the Dukes of Gloucester and Exeter.
There is conflict between Gloucester and his long-term rival, the Bishop of Winchester, and their respective supporters. Richard Plantagenet, having established a claim to the throne through the Mortimer line of his family, declares his animosity towards the Duke of Somerset. Each adopts a rose as an emblem for his faction: white for York, red for Lancaster. Roses are later to become synonymous with the wars after which they are named. Read more...
What happens in the other parts?
Henry VI Part II - England's Fall
Jack Cade leads an anarchic uprising against Henry VI, made powerless by the warring factions of his new wife, Margaret of Anjou, and the House of York, as England descends deeper into bloody civil strife.
Henry VI Part III - The Chaos
Henry VI concedes the House of York shall inherit the crown after his death, angering his wife who fights for the House of Lancaster. Fathers kill sons, sons kill fathers. The House of York prevails and Edward IV is crowned, unaware that his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is plotting his downfall.
Who's who - the characters
Family tree for the houses of Lancaster and York. Read more.
Meet the acting ensemble
The same group of group of actors, directors, designers have worked together over two years on eight of Shakespeare's history plays. Between them, the actors will be playing 264 roles across the plays. Come and meet them.
Digitised picture archive
See pictures from productions of Henry VI Part I throughout the centuries. See more...
Read or listen to the play in advance
The RSC Shop has recordings of the plays and copies of the play texts available to buy online.
