# Henry VI, Part II — Character guide

> Key figures in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.

- [King Henry VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/king_henry_vi.md): The pious and gentle king of England, struggling to maintain peace amid noble factions and rebellion.
- [Queen Margaret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/queen_margaret.md): Ambitious and fierce queen of Henry VI, who schemes to advance her husband and herself.
- [Richard, Duke of York](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/duke_of_york.md): Powerful nobleman who claims the throne, sparking the Wars of the Roses.
- [Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/humphrey_duke_of_gloucester.md): Lord Protector of England, uncle to the king, known for his integrity and popularity.
- [Cardinal Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/cardinal_beaufort.md): Wealthy and ambitious cardinal, great-uncle to the king and rival of Gloucester.
- [William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/duke_of_suffolk.md): Cunning nobleman and lover of Queen Margaret, who orchestrates Gloucester's downfall.
- [Duke of Buckingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/duke_of_buckingham.md): Loyal nobleman and ally of the king, often involved in court intrigues.
- [Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/earl_of_warwick.md): Powerful nobleman and kingmaker, initially loyal to York then later switching sides.
- [Jack Cade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/jack_cade.md): Leader of a popular rebellion in Kent, claiming to be John Mortimer and threatening London.
- [Lord Clifford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/lord_clifford.md): Fierce Lancastrian nobleman, loyal to the king and vengeful against York.
- [Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/duke_of_somerset.md): Lancastrian nobleman and rival of York, blamed for losses in France.
- [Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/duchess_eleanor.md): Ambitious wife of Humphrey of Gloucester, who dabbles in treasonous sorcery.
- [Sir John Stanley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/sir_john_stanley.md): Nobleman who escorts the Duchess of Gloucester into exile.
- [Sir Humphrey Stafford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/sir_humphrey_stafford.md): Loyal knight sent to confront Jack Cade's rebellion.
- [Lord Say](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/lord_say.md): Hated nobleman executed by Cade's rebels for his learning and governance.
- [Alexander Iden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/alexander_iden.md): Kentish gentleman who kills Jack Cade in his garden.
- [Peter Thump](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/peter_thump.md): Apprentice who defeats his master Horner in a trial by combat.
- [Thomas Horner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/thomas_horner.md): Armorer accused of treason by his apprentice, dies in combat.
- [John Hume](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/john_hume.md): Priest who conspires with the Duchess of Gloucester in her treasonous schemes.
- [Roger Bolingbroke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/roger_bolingbroke.md): Conjurer involved in the Duchess of Gloucester's necromancy.
- [Margery Jourdain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/margery_jourdain.md): Witch who raises a spirit for the Duchess of Gloucester.
- [Sir John Mortimer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/sir_john_mortimer.md): York's uncle, a claimant to the throne, mentioned in York's genealogy.
- [Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/edmund_mortimer.md): York's ancestor whose claim to the throne is detailed in a genealogy speech.
- [Earl of Salisbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/salisbury.md): York's ally and father of Warwick, a veteran of the French wars.
- [Walter Whitmore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/walter_whitmore.md): Captain who captures and kills the Duke of Suffolk at sea.
- [Captain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/captain.md): Leader of the ship that intercepts Suffolk, demanding ransom and justice.
- [Dick the Butcher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/dick_the_butcher.md): Follower of Jack Cade, known for the line 'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.'
- [Smith the Weaver](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/smith_the_weaver.md): Rebel follower of Jack Cade, a weaver by trade.
- [Matthew Gough](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/matthew_gough.md): Soldier killed defending London Bridge against Cade's rebels.
- [Vaux](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/vaux.md): Messenger who brings news of Cardinal Beaufort's death.
- [Saunder Simpcox](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/simpcox.md): Impostor who feigns blindness and is exposed by Gloucester.
- [Beadle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/beadle.md): Official who whips the impostor Simpcox.
- [Mayor of Saint Alban](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/mayor_of_saint_alban.md): Local official involved in the Simpcox miracle.
- [John Southwell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/southwell.md): Priest involved in the Duchess of Gloucester's conjuring.
- [Spirit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/spirit.md): Demon raised by the conjurers to prophesy the fates of nobles.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters