Special Screening : Shakespeare's History Plays Series

Henry VI, Part 1
The Hundred Years' War

As the funeral is held for Henry V, the death of this great hero seems to portend dark days ahead for England. There is a succession of bad news, telling of a loss of territory in France and losses suffered by the English army. In England, two aristocratic families are in an open struggle for power that can be traced to a feud between the Duke of Gloucester and the Bishop of Winchester. Henry VI, who ascended to the throne as a child, is unable to control the situation. Lord Talbot's forces had been keeping up a solitary, valiant fight against the French army. As the conflict back home heats up between the House of Lancaster and House of York, Talbot is unable to get sufficient reinforcements and dies a hero in battle along with his son John. In France, a young shepherd girl (Joan of Arc) goes to see the crown prince Charles, claiming she has had a divine revelation. She leads an army into battle and by some mysterious power is able to temporarily overpower the English. She is eventually captured and burned at the stake. After a time, the French army is spent and the two countries reach a peace settlement. Meanwhile, the Earl of Suffolk becomes smitten with the beautiful Margaret, a young French princess he has captured. He arranges for her to marry Henry VI.

Henry VI, Part 2
Defeat and Disorder

The Duke of Gloucester, Henry's uncle and regent of the crown, opposes his marriage to Margaret. The Duke is clashing with the Bishop of Winchester and his agents, and finds himself the target of their machinations. His wife Elanor is accused of dabbling in necromancy and apprehended. Gloucester insists he is innocent, but his rivals succeed in ousting him from the regent's position by pressuring Henry. Gloucester is afterwards assassinated by agents of the Duke of Suffolk and the Queen, who are lovers. Amidst this struggle between factions of nobles, the Duke of York is consolidating his own power. He orchestrates a rebellion in Kent, led by Jack Cade, as a means to shake the king's grip on power. Cade and his rebels march on London, but their fortunes take a sharp turn for the worse. Cade flees and takes shelter in a garden, where he is killed by the owner. Suffolk is banished by Henry VI, who is grieving the death of Gloucester. On his way to France, Suffolk is murdered by pirates. York returns with his army from Ireland. He had requested the banishment of his political rival the Duke of Somerset, and is incensed to learn that Henry has not done so. York expresses his dissatisfaction publicly. Thus was begun the War of the Roses, with the first stage ending in a victory for the House of York.

Henry VI, Part 3
The War of the Roses

Having gained the advantage, the Duke of York pressures Henry to abdicate the throne. The timid king agrees to make York his heir, disinheriting his own son. Queen Margaret is furious, and leads an army to war against the Yorkists. With superior numbers, the Lancastrians win this latest battle. York himself is captured, and taunted by Margaret before being cruelly murdered. Upon learning of their father's death, Edward and Richard pledge to bring down King Henry. The war intensifies and the queen and her forces are routed, as the Yorkists emerge victorious. The Earl of Warwick proposes Edward's accession to the throne and suggests that he be married to Bona, sister-in-law of King Louis XI of France. Acting as emissary, Warwick goes to France. Edward's two brothers are created Dukes of Gloucester and Clarence, and Edward is crowned King Edward IV. Edward falls in love with the Lady Grey and they marry. Incensed, Warwick plots against Edward and the king is placed under house arrest. Edward is rescued by Richard, and leads his troops to battle. Warwick is defeated, and Margaret and Prince Edward are captured upon returning with the support of the French army. The prince is stabbed to death before his mother Margaret's eyes, and the captive King Henry is killed by Richard, who has secret ambitions to seize the throne himself.

Richard III