Henry VI, Part II · Chapter
Scene III explained
At court, Queen Margaret and Suffolk conspire to undermine Duke Humphrey of Gloucester.
What happens
At court, Queen Margaret and Suffolk conspire to undermine Duke Humphrey of Gloucester. Petitioners mistake Suffolk for Gloucester, revealing grievances. Margaret confronts the Duchess of Gloucester, striking her. The king arbitrates a dispute between York and Somerset over the French regency, while an armorer's apprentice accuses his master of treason for claiming York is the rightful heir. Gloucester orders a trial by combat.
Themes in this chapter
Political Ambition and Usurpation
York's claim to the throne is publicly aired through the armorer's accusation, and Margaret and Suffolk scheme to remove Gloucester.
Betrayal and Duplicity
Suffolk and Margaret plot to entrap the Duchess of Gloucester and disgrace Humphrey, while the armorer's apprentice betrays his master.
Class Conflict and Rebellion
Petitioners seek justice from Gloucester but are dismissed by the queen; the armorer's apprentice, a commoner, challenges his master.
Gender and Power
Queen Margaret asserts her authority by striking the Duchess and criticizing the king's piety, while Gloucester dismisses 'women's matters.'
Characters to notice
- King Henry VI
Indifferent to the York-Somerset dispute; defers to Gloucester's judgment on the treason accusation.
- Queen Margaret
Angry at Gloucester's influence; strikes the Duchess of Gloucester; conspires with Suffolk to destroy Humphrey.
- Duke of Suffolk
Plots with Margaret to disgrace Gloucester; intercepts petitioners; accuses York of treason through the armorer's man.
- Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Defends himself against accusations; proposes trial by combat for the armorer; remains loyal to the king.
- Richard, Duke of York
Argues for the regency; accused of treason by the armorer's apprentice; demands legal action.
- Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset
Contends with York for the French regency; ultimately appointed regent by Gloucester's judgment.
- Cardinal Beaufort
Joins the lords in criticizing Gloucester's governance.
- Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
Supports York as worthier than Somerset; clashes with Suffolk and Buckingham.
Key passages
“Although we fancy not the cardinal, Yet must we join with him and with the lords, Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace.”
Even though we dislike the cardinal, we must ally with him and the other nobles until we have disgraced Duke Humphrey.
Suffolk outlines the conspiratorial strategy to Margaret.
“Give me my fan: what, minion! can ye not? She gives the Duchess a box on the ear.”
Hand me my fan—can't you do it? She slaps the Duchess.
Margaret publicly humiliates the Duchess of Gloucester.
“His words were these: that Richard Duke of York Was rightful heir unto the English crown, And that your majesty was a usurper.”
He said that Richard, Duke of York, was the true heir to the English throne and that you, the king, were a usurper.
The apprentice Peter accuses his master Horner of treason.
“This doom, my lord, if I may judge: Let Somerset be regent o'er the French, Because in York this breeds suspicion: And let these have a day appointed them For single combat in convenient place.”
If I may decide, my lord: let Somerset be regent over France, since this suspicion falls on York, and set a day for these two to fight in single combat.
Gloucester pronounces judgment, appointing Somerset regent and ordering a trial by combat.
