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Act 1, Scene 1
Henry VI, Part 3 Translation Table of Contents
Shakespeare finishes his Wars of the Roses trilogy with Henry VI, Part 3. Spurred on by Warwick and his sons Richard and Edward to assert his right to rule, the Duke of York negotiates to keep the throne he’s seized from Henry VI. Clashes between Henry’s forces and the Duke of York’s backers result in the Duke and his son Rutland’s deaths. The Duke’s son Edward is primed to take the throne, but Edward’s controversial marriage to Lady Grey turns Warwick, an old friend, into a new enemy. Untangle the complicated plot of some of the most intense battles of the Wars of the Roses with our modern English translation of Henry VI, Part 3, which can help you decipher some of the play’s most noteworthy quotes, like “To weep is to make less the depth of grief.”
Act 1, Scene 1
York sits on the English throne. Henry agrees to pass on the crown to York after he dies, but Margaret isn't satisfied.
Act 1, Scene 2
York's sons urge their father to take the crown and forget about the promise he made. Margaret's army attacks York's.
Act 1, Scene 3
Clifford gets revenge for his father's death by killing York's youngest son Rutland.
Act 1, Scene 4
York is captured by Margaret who taunts him and tells him of Rutland's death before killing him.
Act 2, Scene 1
Richard and Edward find out that their father Richard Plantagenet is dead. Warwick gathers an army against Margaret.
Act 2, Scene 2
Margaret and Clifford try to convince Henry not to be so soft. Edward and Richard appeal for Edward's right to be king.
Act 2, Scene 3
Warwick takes a break from the fight. Richard announces that Warwick's brother is dead. They prepare to battle again.
Act 2, Scene 4
Richard and Clifford fight until Warwick interrupts them and Clifford runs away.
Act 2, Scene 5
On the battlefield, King Henry sees a son discover he has killed his father and a father discover he has killed his son.
Act 2, Scene 6
Clifford dies and Richard, Edward, George and Warwick mock his dead body. Preparations are made for Edward's coronation.
Act 3, Scene 1
Gamekeepers discover the deposed Henry in disguise, talking about kings. They capture him in the name of King Edward.
Act 3, Scene 2
Edward listens to a widow's request and decides to make her his queen. Richard reveals his plan to take the crown.
Act 3, Scene 3
Lewis finds out that Edward married Lady Grey instead of his sister. Warwick switches sides and plans to fight Edward.
Act 4, Scene 1
The court disapproves of Edward's new wife. Clarence and others abandon him and Edward prepares to fight Warwick.
Act 4, Scene 2
Warwick organizes his army and prepares them to make an unexpected attack on Edward's camp.
Act 4, Scene 3
Warwick and his soldiers attack and capture Edward. Warwick plans to go to London to restore Henry to the throne.
Act 4, Scene 4
Elizabeth and Rivers discuss Edward's loss of the crown. Elizabeth, pregnant, goes into hiding to protect her child.
Act 4, Scene 5
Gloucester, Hastings, and Stanley save Edward from his imprisonment.
Act 4, Scene 6
Henry VI is rescued from his prison and foreshadows that Richmond will be the country's hope.
Act 4, Scene 7
King Edward arrives at York and is persuaded to declare himself the king again. The Yorks prepare an army against Henry.
Act 4, Scene 8
Henry reassures himself of his subjects' loyalty as his men prepare to fight. Edward storms the palace, capturing Henry.
Act 5, Scene 1
Many lords join Warwick, ready to fight, but Clarence switches back to Edward's side. Warwick prepares to battle Edward.
Act 5, Scene 2
Warwick is wounded and dies. Montague has also been killed. Margaret approaches with a powerful army from France.
Act 5, Scene 3
Edward, Clarence and Gloucester discuss Margaret's army and prepare to meet her in battle.
Act 5, Scene 4
Margaret (along with her son) and King Edward each give encouraging speeches to their soldiers. The battle begins.
Act 5, Scene 5
The House of York has won the battle. Prince Edward and Margaret are captured. He is killed and she is taken prisoner.
Act 5, Scene 6
Gloucester visits Henry VI in the Tower and kills him. He plots to kill Clarence to get to the throne.
Act 5, Scene 7
At court, King Edward celebrates his victory with the introduction of his newborn baby. Gloucester continues plotting.
About the Translator: Nina Romancikova
Nina Romancikova is from Slovakia but her love of literature and theater has brought her to the UK and she has been living and studying there for the past six years. She graduated with a degree in English Literature and Language at University of Glasgow in 2016. Nina is now finishing her Masters in Shakespeare Studies at King's College London and is currently working as a Research Intern at Shakespeare's Globe.
