in 2 Henry the Sixth (The First Part of the Contention betwixt the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster) — Shakespeare, William; Marlowe, Christopher; Anonymous (?)
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2 Henry the Sixth (The First Part of the Contention betwixt the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster)
Passages from this character's speech that contain the most distinguishing words for Cluster 13 (tanner, kate, topas, harry, henry, george…). Matches are highlighted.
all surprised, And heres the answer the devil did make to them. York, if thou mean well, I greet thee so. I come as a messenger from our dread lord & sovereign Henry, to know the reason of these Arms in peace? Or that thou being a subject as I am, Shouldst thus approach so near with colours spread, Whereas the person of the
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But let us watch this haughty Cardinal, Cousin of Somerset, be ruled by me, Weel watch Duke Humphrey and the Cardinal too, And put them from the mark they feign would hit. Content, come let us about it straight, For either thou or I will be P ctor. All in this place are thy betters far. See here my Lord what the devil hath writ. My Lord, I pray you let me go post unto the King, Unto Saint Albans, to tell this news. Farewell my Lord. Heel wrest the sense and keep us here all day, My Lord of Winchester see him sent away. Madame I will, and levy such a band As soon shall overcome those Irish rebels: But York, where shall those soldiers stay for thee? Then thither shall they come, and so farewell. Go some and make after him, and proclaim, That those that can bring the head of Cade, Shall have a thousand crowns for his labour. Come march w y. Ill news for some my lord, and this it is, That proud dame Elnor our Protectors wife, Hath plotted Treasons gainst the King and Peers, By witchcrafts, sorceries, and conjurings, Who by such means did raise a spirit up, To tell her what hap should betide the state, But ere they had finished their devilish drift, By York and my self they were all surprised, And heres the answer the devil did make to them. York, if thou mean well, I greet thee so. I come as a messenger from our dread lord & sovereign Henry, to know the reason of these Arms in peace? Or that thou being a subject as I am, Shouldst thus approach so near with colours spread, Whereas the person of the King does keep? Why that was presumption on thy behalf, But if it be no otherwise but so, The King does pardon thee, and grants to thy request, And Somerset is sent unto the Tower. York, he is upon mine honour. Come York, thou shalt go speak unto the King, But see, his grace is coming to meet with us. He is my lord, and hath discharge his troops Which came with him, but as your Grace did say, To heave the duke of Somerset from hence, And to subdue the rebels that were up.
Plot summary
Plot — 2 Henry the Sixth (The First Part of the Contention betwixt the Two Famous Houses of York and Lancaster)
Siiffolk brings KingiHenryiVd his new queen, Margaret, having been his proxy at their wedding in France; the agreement means peace with France, but also the surrender of some of England’s French possessions. In England, factions develop for and against Gioueester, the Lord Protector, while WOFk intends to claim the crown for himself; moreover, rivalry brews between the Queen and Gloucester’s ambitious wife, who also covets the throne. Common talk about York’s claim to the crown means that SOimierset supplants him as Regent of France, and this talk is later verified in a trial by combat. _ ile incites the DGGHESSIGAEGIONEESEr to solicit demonic predictions about England’s political future (some of which come true later in the play); she is forced to do penance, and banished. By careful questioning, Gloucester establishes that a supposed miracle is actually fraudulent. Somerset’s regency results in the loss of all England’s French lands; the Queen and barons unite to lay the blame on Gloucester and have him first arrested for high treason, then murdered. Suffolk is . banished by popular acclamation, captured at sea by pirates, and beheaded. MH@NCaFdifial dies in a delirium ‘of guilt for his part in Gloucester’s murder. , ’ York goes to put down a rising in Ireland, and arranges for a rebellion in his absence to give him a reason to return in arms: Jaeki@ade and his men duly wreak havoc in London before Glifférd quells the rebellion with a promise of pardon; Cade himself is caught, starving, on private land, and killed. York returns in arms, but dismisses his troops on learning that Cade has been defeated and Somerset imprisoned; -but Somerset’s disgrace proves to be a deception, and civil war breaks out. The Yorkists win the battle of St Albans, and Henry flees to London to hold a parliament.