Henry VI, Part II · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.
King Henry VI
major
Also known as Henry, Henry the Fifth, noble Henry, Henry king
The pious and gentle king of England, struggling to maintain peace amid noble factions and rebellion.
Queen Margaret
major
Also known as Margaret, Meg, dame Margaret, the Lady Margaret
Ambitious and fierce queen of Henry VI, who schemes to advance her husband and herself.
Richard, Duke of York
major
Also known as York, Richard Duke of York, Richard, my Lord of York, Lord York, noble York
Powerful nobleman who claims the throne, sparking the Wars of the Roses.
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
major
Also known as Gloucester, my Lord of Gloucester, good Gloucester, the good Duke Humphrey, Duke Humphrey, Humphrey, good Duke Humphrey, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, uncle Humphrey, smooth Duke Humphrey, the false Duke Humphrey, good Humphrey
Lord Protector of England, uncle to the king, known for his integrity and popularity.
Cardinal Beaufort
supporting
Also known as Beaufort, Cardinal, Cardinal Beaufort, uncle Beaufort, the Cardinal Beaufort
Wealthy and ambitious cardinal, great-uncle to the king and rival of Gloucester.
William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk
major
Also known as Suffolk, my Lord of Suffolk, gentle Suffolk, Lord Suffolk, Suffolk True, William de la Pole, Pole, the Duke of Suffolk, King Suffolk
Cunning nobleman and lover of Queen Margaret, who orchestrates Gloucester's downfall.
Duke of Buckingham
supporting
Also known as Buckingham, Lord Buckingham, Sharp Buckingham, King Buckingham
Loyal nobleman and ally of the king, often involved in court intrigues.
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick
major
Also known as Warwick, Lord Warwick, good Warwick, Warwick Beaufort, Cardinal Ambitious Warwick, Warwick Father, Warwick Madam
Powerful nobleman and kingmaker, initially loyal to York then later switching sides.
Jack Cade
major
Also known as Cade, Brother Jack Cade, Soldier Jack Cade, John Cade, John Mortimer, Cade Marry, Cade surprised, Cade O monstrous, Cade Tut, Cade Valiant, Cade Here, Cade Iden, Messenger Jack Cade, that monstrous rebel Cade
Leader of a popular rebellion in Kent, claiming to be John Mortimer and threatening London.
Lord Clifford
supporting
Also known as old Clifford, Clifford, Young Clifford
Fierce Lancastrian nobleman, loyal to the king and vengeful against York.
Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset
supporting
Also known as Somerset, Edmund Duke of Somerset, The Duke of Somerset, proud Somerset, Lord Somerset, Somerset Cousin of Buckingham
Lancastrian nobleman and rival of York, blamed for losses in France.
Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester
supporting
Also known as Nell, Sweet Nell, gentle Nell, Dame Eleanor, Eleanor, Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester Eleanor, Lady Eleanor, Duchess, Duchess Tut, Exeunt Duchess, Duchess Ay
Ambitious wife of Humphrey of Gloucester, who dabbles in treasonous sorcery.
Sir John Stanley
minor
Also known as Sir John, John Stanley, Sir John Stanley, Stanley, Stanley Madam
Nobleman who escorts the Duchess of Gloucester into exile.
Sir Humphrey Stafford
minor
Also known as Stafford, Humphrey, Sir Humphrey Stafford, Stafford Rebellious hinds, Stafford Villain, Stafford Ay
Loyal knight sent to confront Jack Cade's rebellion.
Lord Say
minor
Also known as Lord Say, King Lord Say
Hated nobleman executed by Cade's rebels for his learning and governance.
Alexander Iden
minor
Also known as Iden, King Iden
Kentish gentleman who kills Jack Cade in his garden.
Peter Thump
minor
Also known as Peter, Peter Alas, Peter Thump
Apprentice who defeats his master Horner in a trial by combat.
Thomas Horner
minor
Also known as Horner, Horner Alas, Thomas Horner
Armorer accused of treason by his apprentice, dies in combat.
John Hume
minor
Also known as Hume, Sir John Hume, Sir John, Master Hume, Bolingbroke Master Hume
Priest who conspires with the Duchess of Gloucester in her treasonous schemes.
Roger Bolingbroke
minor
Also known as Bolingbroke
Conjurer involved in the Duchess of Gloucester's necromancy.
Margery Jourdain
minor
Also known as Margery Jourdain, Margaret Jourdain, Margaret Jourdain Asmath, Jourdain, Margaret
Witch who raises a spirit for the Duchess of Gloucester.
Sir John Mortimer
minor
Also known as Sir John Mortimer, John
York's uncle, a claimant to the throne, mentioned in York's genealogy.
Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March
minor
Also known as Edmund Mortimer, Edmund, Earl of March, Duke Edmund
York's ancestor whose claim to the throne is detailed in a genealogy speech.
Earl of Salisbury
supporting
Also known as Salisbury, Salisbury Peter, father Salisbury, Salisbury This Edmund
York's ally and father of Warwick, a veteran of the French wars.
Walter Whitmore
minor
Also known as Walter Whitmore, Whitmore, Walter
Captain who captures and kills the Duke of Suffolk at sea.
Captain
minor
Also known as Captain, captain
Leader of the ship that intercepts Suffolk, demanding ransom and justice.
Dick the Butcher
minor
Also known as Dick Nay, Dick, Dick Aside
Follower of Jack Cade, known for the line 'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.'
Smith the Weaver
minor
Also known as Smith, Smith Aside, Smith Sir
Rebel follower of Jack Cade, a weaver by trade.
George Bevis
minor
Also known as George, George Bevis, Bevis
Rebel follower of Jack Cade.
John Holland
minor
Also known as John Holland, Holland
Rebel follower of Jack Cade.
Michael
minor
Also known as Michael, Michael Fly
Rebel follower of Jack Cade.
Robin
minor
Also known as Robin
Rebel follower of Jack Cade.
Matthew Gough
minor
Also known as Matthew Goffe
Soldier killed defending London Bridge against Cade's rebels.
Vaux
minor
Also known as Vaux, Exit Vaux
Messenger who brings news of Cardinal Beaufort's death.
Saunder Simpcox
minor
Also known as Simpcox, Simpcox Saunder Simpcox, Simpcox Born, Saunder, Simpcox O
Impostor who feigns blindness and is exposed by Gloucester.
Beadle
minor
Also known as Beadle, the Beadle
Official who whips the impostor Simpcox.
Mayor of Saint Alban
minor
Also known as Mayor Sirrah
Local official involved in the Simpcox miracle.
John Southwell
minor
Also known as John Southwell, Southwell
Priest involved in the Duchess of Gloucester's conjuring.
Spirit
minor
Also known as Spirit, The Duke, the Spirit, Exit Spirit
Demon raised by the conjurers to prophesy the fates of nobles.
