Henry VI, Part I · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare.
Lord Talbot
major
Also known as Bedford, the stout Lord Talbot, A Talbot, the Talbot, Bedford Lord Talbot, the Lord Talbot, brave Talbot, Renowned Talbot, Valiant Lord Talbot
English commander leading the war in France, captured and later dies with his son.
Charles the Dauphin
major
Also known as The Dauphin Charles, the Dauphin, Charles, Dauphin, Charles Whoe’er, Charles Meantime, Charles the Dauphin, Charles Go, The princely Charles of France, royal Charles of France, Charles Sound, Charles Ay
French heir to the throne, leads resistance against English forces.
John Talbot
major
Also known as John, noble Talbot, young Talbot, young John, young John Talbot
Son of Lord Talbot, fights bravely and dies alongside his father.
King Henry the Fifth
supporting
Also known as Henry, Henry the Fifth, King Henry, young Henry, princely Henry, sweet Henry, Henry fret
Deceased English king whose legacy looms over the conflict with France.
Richard Plantagenet
major
Also known as Plantagenet, First Gaoler Richard Plantagenet, Richard
Ambitious nobleman who later becomes Duke of York, central to English court strife.
Edmund Mortimer
supporting
Also known as Mortimer Richard Plantagenet, Mortimer, dying Mortimer, false Plantagenet, Nestor
Imprisoned nobleman who reveals Plantagenet's royal lineage before dying.
Margaret
major
Also known as Margaret Tush, Lady Margaret
French noblewoman courted by Suffolk, later becomes Queen of England.
Sir William Lucy
supporting
Also known as Lucy, Sir William, William Lucy
English messenger and diplomat who reports Talbot's fate.
Joan of Arc
major
Also known as Joan, Joan la Pucelle, Pucelle, La Pucelle
French peasant girl leading armies, claiming divine guidance, later captured.
Countess of Auvergne
supporting
Also known as the Countess, Countess Porter, Countess, Countess Victorious Talbot
French noblewoman who attempts to capture Talbot but is outwitted.
Earl of Salisbury
supporting
Also known as the Lords Salisbury, Salisbury, mad-brain’d Salisbury, old Salisbury
English nobleman and commander killed by a cannon shot at Orleans.
Duke of Alençon
supporting
Also known as Alençon, Charles Duke of Alençon, Alençon Pucelle
French duke and military commander fighting alongside the Dauphin.
Earl of Suffolk
supporting
Also known as Suffolk Fair Margaret, Suffolk, Suffolk Lady, My noble Lord of Suffolk, William de la Pole, Pole, William Pole
English nobleman who arranges Margaret's marriage to King Henry.
Duke of Somerset
supporting
Also known as Somerset Good Master Vernon, Vernon, Somerset York, York
English nobleman and rival to Plantagenet in the court power struggle.
Cardinal of Winchester
supporting
Also known as Cardinal Charles, Charles, Winchester Each, Arrogant Winchester, Winchester Ay, my Lord of Winchester
Powerful English churchman and political schemer against Gloucester.
Reignier
supporting
Also known as Reignier, Pucelle Reignier, Reignier Woman, Exeunt Reignier, Reignier Salisbury
Duke of Anjou and father of Margaret, involved in French court politics.
Saint George
minor
Also known as George, Talbot, Saint George, Talbot Saint George
Patron saint invoked by English soldiers in battle cries.
Basset
minor
Also known as Basset
English soldier and follower of Somerset in the York-Somerset feud.
Duke of Gloucester
supporting
Also known as Duke of Gloucester, the noble Duke of Gloucester, Gloucester, King O, loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester, ambitious Humphry, Humphrey of Gloucester, Humphrey
English regent and uncle to King Henry, protector of the realm.
Duke of Burgundy
supporting
Also known as Burgundy, Burgundy Courageous Bedford, Bedford
French nobleman allied with England, later persuaded to switch sides by Joan.
Sir Thomas Gargrave
minor
Also known as Sir Thomas Gargrave, Gargrave
English soldier mortally wounded during the siege of Orleans.
Sir John Fastolfe
minor
Also known as Sir John Fastolfe, John Fastolfe
English knight accused of cowardice for fleeing battle.
King Edward the Third
minor
Also known as Edward the Third, Edward, King Edward the Third
Former English king referenced in claims to the French throne.
Bastard of Orleans
minor
Also known as Bastard Mine, Bastard, Charles Bastard, Charles Bastard of Orleans
French commander and ally of the Dauphin during the war.
Woodvile
minor
Also known as Woodvile, Gloucester Faint-hearted Woodvile
English lieutenant serving under Talbot, killed in battle.
Vernon
minor
Also known as Vernon Sirrah, Vernon, Plantagenet Good Master Vernon
English soldier and follower of York in the York-Somerset dispute.
Richard Earl of Cambridge
minor
Also known as Richard Earl of Cambridge, ambitious Richard, Earl of Cambridge
Executed nobleman and father of Richard Plantagenet, mentioned in backstory.
Sir William Glansdale
minor
Also known as Sir William Glansdale
English captain killed during the assault on Orleans.
Lionel Duke of Clarence
minor
Also known as Lionel Duke of Clarence
Ancestor of the Plantagenet line, referenced in genealogy.
King Henry the Fourth
minor
Also known as Henry the Fourth
Former English king, grandfather of Henry VI, mentioned in lineage.
King Richard II
minor
Also known as King Richard
Deposed English king referenced in discussions of royal succession.
Earl of Warwick
minor
Also known as Warwick, my Lord of Warwick, Warwick Yield, Warwick Tush
English nobleman and supporter of the Yorkist cause.
Edmund Langley
minor
Also known as famous Edmund Langley, Duke of York, Edmund Langley, the Duke of York
Duke of York and ancestor of Richard Plantagenet, mentioned in lineage.
