THE THIRD PART OF

KING HENRY VI

Edward, Earl of March, afterwards King Edward IV,

EDMUND, Earl of Rutland,

-his sons

GEORGE, afterwards Duke of Clarence,

RICHARD, afterwards Duke of Gloucester,

DUKE OF NORFOLK

MARQUESS OF MONTAGUE

EARL OF WARWICK

EARL OF PEMBROKE

LORD HASTINGS

LORD STAFFORD

SIR JORN MORTIMER,

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SYNOPSIS

By J. ELLIS BURDICK

ACT I

Before Henry VI reaches London, the Duke of York is there and is seated on the throne by the Earl of Warwick. The king enters the Parliament-house and finding threats of no avail to make York give up the throne, promises that York shall be his heir. Margaret is very angry that her son should thus be denied the succession and she herself raises an army. A battle takes place between the forces of the queen and those of York, in which the latter is defeated and slain.

Sc, 1

ACT II

Edward and Richard, York's sons, are much disheartened over the death of their father, but are encouraged when Warwick joins them. Another battle is fought near Towton and Henry's forces are routed. Edward and his followers then proceed to London, there to crown Edward as king.

ACT III

After Edward's coronation, Warwick journeys to France to arrange a marriage between the new king and the Princess Bona, sister of the queen of France. King Henry is taken prisoner and carried to the London Tower. At the French court Warwick meets Margaret; both plead with Lewis, the first for the hand of Bona for his king and the latter for aid to restore Henry to his throne. Lewis has just promised to accede to Warwick's wishes when a post enters bringing letters. They contain the news of

Edward's marriage with Lady Elizabeth Grey. Angry with Edward for his broken faith, Warwick and Lewis both turn to Margaret; Warwick is reconciled to her and Lewis promises her the French troops she so much needs.

ACT IV

Warwick hastens to England, by forced marches surprises Edward, deposes him, and restores the crown to Henry. Edward escapes from his captors and flees to Burgundy, where he succeeds in recruiting fresh troops. He returns to his dukedom of York in England and is there joined by his own friends and their followers. They march upon London and Henry is again seized and imprisoned in the Tower.

ACT V

Warwick "the King-maker" and Edward meet in battle near Barnet and the forces of the Earl are defeated, he himself being killed. The king then proceeds to Tewksbury, where he meets Margaret and her French troops. The queen is taken prisoner, and the prince, her son, stabbed to death by York's brother. Edward's brother, the Duke of Gloucester, hastens to London and kills Henry. Edward ascends the throne with every prospect of peace and security for the future were it not for the mutterings of the Duke of Gloucester.