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Summary
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Henry VI Part 1, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Individualism vs. Nationalism
Gender and Politics
Courage vs. Cowardice
Religion, Power, and Manipulation
Impulse and History
Summary
Analysis
King Henry V of England has just died, and the former king’s closest courtiers are now leading his funeral procession. The Duke of Bedford, one of Henry V’s brothers, laments that England has now lost its greatest king. The Duke of Gloucester, Henry V’s other brother, reflects on just how effective the dead king was as a warrior and conqueror. But while Bedford and Gloucester blame bad luck for the king’s untimely death, the Duke of Exeter, Henry V’s uncle, suspects French sorcerers of having murdered Henry through witchcraft and “magic verses.”
Henry V ruled over England in the middle of the country’s Hundred Years’ War with France, as the English battled to seize control over French territory. Henry V was a remarkably effective conqueror, which explains why his courtiers feel so much apprehension in his absence. But this passage is also notable for the way it immediately conflates the French with dark magic and sorcery, suggesting that as they critique their enemy, the English will also demonize them.
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The Bishop of Winchester, another of Henry V’s uncles, opines that the late king was so successful because people in the Church prayed for him. Gloucester pushes back on this, scoffing that the Church did little to help Henry. Instead, Gloucester thinks Winchester seeks to exploit his clerical role for his own ends, accusing the bishop of wanting an “effeminate prince” whom he can manipulate. Winchester snaps that it is really Gloucester, in his capacity as Lord Protector, who seeks to control the future king. As the two men squabble, Bedford interrupts, urging Winchester and Gloucester to set aside their differences and focus on honoring Henry V.
As a bishop, Winchester could claim to act as the young Henry VI’s spiritual and moral guide; as Lord Protector, Gloucester was technically in charge of ruling England for as long as Henry VI remained a minor. The fact that Winchester and Gloucester each possess competing claims to power thus sets up a feud that will only deepen as the play progresses, despite pleas from other courtiers for unity. And as the duo squares off, it is useful to track the language they use to insult each other; Gloucester, for example, accuses Winchester of wanting an “effeminate prince,” marking the play’s first conflation of femininity with weakness—but certainly not its last.
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A messenger rushes in with bad news from France: the English have lost their territories in Orleance, Roan, and Paris, among other towns. When Exeter demands to know how the English suffered such great losses, the messenger explains that there were simply not enough English troops to fend off the French. Besides, the messenger adds, many English soldiers have begun to grumble that the country’s military leadership is disjointed—and because none of the generals could agree on a strategy, the French were able to triumph.
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The messenger leaves, and Bedford, Regent of France, vows that he will fight to regain the lost territories. Unfortunately, his declaration is interrupted by another messenger with yet more bad news: nearly all of the French civilians have revolted against the English, deciding instead to crown the Dauphin Charles as their king. Other French courtiers have decided to join with Charles, including the Bastard of Orleance; Reignier, Duke of Anjou; and the Duke of Alanson.
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One more messenger arrives, informing the funeral procession of the worst loss yet: Lord Talbot, England’s bravest soldier, has been taken captive by the French. The messenger explains that Talbot’s 6,000 English troops were overwhelmed by 23,000 French soldiers. Even so, the messenger emphasizes, Talbot fought valiantly, killing hundreds all by himself. Inspired by Talbot’s bravery, many other English soldiers rushed into the fray. But one cowardly soldier, Sir John Fastolf, fled—and in doing so, cost the English their hard-won shot at victory.
Bedford promises that he will do whatever he must to get the French to release Talbot. Then, once Talbot is free, Bedford will gather an army of 10,000 men to invade France. Before he exits, the messenger warns Bedford and the other nobles that the English soldiers, hungry and exhausted, are close to mutiny; the Earl of Salisbury, the last English general still in France, is in dire need of back-up.
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Exeter reminds the gathered courtiers that before Henry V died, he made them promise to either destroy the Dauphin or bring him into complete submission. Bedford leaves to negotiate Talbot’s release, while Gloucester decides to go to the Tower of London and begin the process of pronouncing “young Henry” (Henry V’s son, Henry VI) king. Exeter announces that he will go directly to Henry VI, ensconced at the royal palace at Eltham, and counsel the future king on how to navigate this war. In an aside, Winchester reveals that he plans to find Henry VI before Exeter can get there: “the king from Eltham I intend to steal / and sit at chiefest stern of public weal.”
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