Henry VI, Part 2Shakespeare’s First Folio

Scans: Bodleian Libraries, Arch. G c.7.

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The First Folio

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Reading Henry VI, Part 2

Histories · First Folio, 1623

Henry VI, Part 2 moves from a royal marriage into a struggle over who can govern through the King. Gloucester's position becomes vulnerable to rivals, and Jack Cade's rebellion carries disputes about authority beyond the court. Legal language, public reputation, and access to the monarch are all means of acquiring power. Read the Folio with an eye to how accusations move: who makes them, who repeats them, and which bodies bear their consequences. The growing conflict between York and Lancaster emerges from a political world already accustomed to using the appearance of justice against opponents.

The opening ceremony presents Margaret to Henry after Suffolk has acted as the King's representative in the marriage. The ceremonial exchange is followed by the terms of the settlement. Notice the difference between the welcome offered to the Queen and the reactions to what England has conceded.

Context: Henry VI, Part 2 at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Scans and transcription: Bodleian Libraries, Arch. G c.7.

On the opening page

Henry VI, Part 2 in the Bodleian First Folio, fol. m2v
fol. m2v · Image 476. Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford. CC BY-NC 4.0.
The second Part of Henry the Sixt,
with the death of the Good Duke
HVMFREY.

Actus Primus. Scœna Prima

[Act 1, Scene 1]

Flourish of Trumpets: Then Hoboyes.

Enter King, Duke Humfrey, Salisbury, Warwicke and Beau­
ford on the one side.

The Queene, Suffolke, Yorke, Somerset, and Buckingham,
on the other.

Suffolke.

AS by your high Imperiall Maiesty,

I had in charge at my depart for France,

As Procurator to your Excellence,

To marry Princes Margaret for your Grace;

So in the Famous Ancient City, Toures,

In presence of the Kings of France, and Sicill,

The Dukes of Orleance, Calaber, Britaigne, and Alanson,

Seuen Earles, twelue Barons, & twenty reuerend Bishops

I haue perform'd my Taske, and was espous'd,

And humbly now vpon my bended knee,

In sight of England, and her Lordly Peeres,

Deliuer vp my Title in the Queene

To your most gracious hands, that are the Substance

Of that great Shadow I did represent:

The happiest Gift, that euer Marquesse gaue,

The Fairest Queene, that euer King receiu'd.

King.

Suffolke arise. Welcome Queene Margaret,

I can expresse no kinder signe of Loue

Then this kinde kisse: O Lord, that lends me life,

Lend me a heart repleate with thankfulnesse:

For thou hast giuen me in this beauteous Face

A world of earthly blessings to my soule,

If Simpathy of Loue vnite our thoughts.

Queen.

Great King of England, & my gracious Lord,

The mutuall conference that my minde hath had,

By day, by night; waking, and in my dreames,

In Courtly company, or at my Beades,

With you mine Alder liefest Soueraigne,

An opening excerpt from the Bodleian transcription, with original spelling retained. Continue in the reader. Text CC BY 3.0.

King JohnRichard IIHenry IV, Part 1

Browse all 36 plays or read the First Folio questions and answers.

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Thirty-six plays, in their printed order.

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This reader presents the Bodleian Libraries' digitized copy of Shakespeare's First Folio, published in 1623 (shelfmark Arch. G c.7). It contains 36 plays.

Original page images: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, under CC BY-NC 4.0. Transcriptions: Bodleian First Folio, under CC BY 3.0.

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