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)
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Why country men and warlike friends of Kenned, What means this mutinous rebellion, That you in troops do muster thus your selves, Under the conduct of this traitor Cade? To rise against your sovereign lord and King, Who mildly hath his pardon sent to you, If you forsake this monstrous rebel here? If honour be the mark whereat you aim, Then haste to France, that our forefathers won, And win again that thing which now is lost, And leave to seek your countries overthrow. Long live King Henry, England's lawful King, Lo here my Lord, these rebels are subdued, And offer their lives before your highness feet. No, my gracious lord, he is fled away, but proclamati ons are sent forth, that he that Can ̄ but bring his head, shall have a thousand crowns. But may it please your majesty, to pardon these their faults, that by that traitors means were thus misled. Long live my noble Lord and sovereign King. Why, I did no way mistake, this is my King: What is he mad? to Bedlam with him. Why do not your grace send him to the Tower Are these thy bears? weel bait them soon, Despite of thee and all the friends thou hast. Brave warlike friends hear me but speak a word, Refuse not good, while it is offered you, The King is merciful, then yield to him, And I my self will go along with you, To Winsore castle whereas the King abides, And on mine honour you shall have no hurt. I am resolved to bear a greater storm, Then any thou canst conjure up to day, And that isle write upon thy Burgonet, Might I but know thee by thy household badge. And from thy burgonet will I rend the bear, And tread him underfoot with all contempt, Despite the Bearward that protects him so. And here I stand, and pitch my foot to thine, Vowing never to stir, till thou or I be slain, For never shall my heart be safe at rest, Till I have spoiled the hateful house of York.
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.