Handlung

Following his father's early death and the loss of possessions in France young Henry VI comes to the throne, under the protection of the duke of Gloucester. He is unaware that there are other claimants to the throne, Plantagent of York and Somerset of Lancaster, whose factions will ultimately cause the Wars of the Roses. Ignorant of the schisms Henry tries to unite them in the Hundred Years War, capturing Joan of Arc, before he marries Margaret of Anjou to unite England and France, but there is no dowry, angering the court. Margaret finds the pious Henry a dull husband and embarks upon an affair with Somerset as well as crossing Gloucester's wife Eleanor. When Gloucester is arrested for alleged treason because of Eleanor Henry is too feeble to prevent his death or the country slipping into civil war.—don @ minifie-1

This episode combines the plays "Henry VI Part 1" and most of "Henry VI Part 2". The episode opens just as the beloved King Henry V has died. His infant son is now King Henry VI. The old king's brother Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester, is Lord Protector of England. Prior to Henry V's death, the Treaty of Troyes with King Charles VI of France had dis-inherited his son, Charles, Dauphin of France, and granted the crown to Henry V and his heirs, but Henry V pre-deceased Charles VI and so after his death, a nine-month-old baby is now King of England and France.

At the funeral, a messenger comes in and says that many important towns in France have been lost. The young king's great-uncle, Duke of Exeter resolves to lead troops to get them back. Gloucester goes to the Tower of London to proclaim Henry VI king.

Seventeen years later, Richard Duke of York (he was nephew to the Duke of York killed at Agincourt in Henry V) is called to see his dying uncle, Edmund Mortimer. If you saw season 1, this is the nephew of "revolted Mortimer" from Henry IV Part one, who his brother in law Hotspur was trying to place on the throne. Mortimer reveals to his nephew Richard that he was the rightful king and that being his heir, York should now also be king. This is a complicated line, but Henry IV (the new king's grandfather) in "season 1" took the crown from Richard II, but was not himself the rightful heir. That's why Hotspur and company were trying to unseat him in the first season. York's uncle Mortimer was named heir by Richard II, who himself had no children.

Richard Duke of York states his case to several other noblemen, including Somerset and Warwick, and people choose sides (Who should be king, the Lancastrian Henry VI or the Yorkist Richard?) by picking roses of various colors.

Another conflict is between Henry's uncle Duke of Gloucester and his great-uncle the Bishop (later Cardinal) of Winchester. Henry has to calm the two of them down in the throne room.

Later Henry is taken to France to be crowned there. But afterward they found out that the Dauphin (who incidentally is Henry's maternal uncle) has ignored the treaty signed by his father and claimed the crown of France. Henry sends Lord Talbot, Somerset, and York to France to bring them to heel.

We see a scene in Rouen where Joan de Pucelle (Joan of Arc) is leading the French troops. Nearby an officer named Lucy goes to see Somerset, who was supposed to provide York with troops but out of spite (remember the rose garden scene) refuses to send them to York. Unfortunately Lord Talbot was counting on those troops, and outnumbered, his army is routed and he and his son are killed at Rouen. Talbot is stabbed by Joan, who enters with the Dauphin. It should be noted that the "Somerset" in this version is a combination of the characters "Somerset" and "Suffolk" in the original plays.

York, Exeter, and Warwick arrive looking for Talbot. They encounter the French and learn that Talbot is dead because of Somerset's refusal to send troops (the previous scene). Warwick unites the two factions of Lancaster (Somerset) and York and the English rally to siege the town of Orleans. There, Somerset captures a young woman named Margaret of Anjou. After she asks what bond she has to pay, Somerset promises to take Margaret for King Henry's wife and queen. Somerset is doing this so that he can have an affair with and control Margaret who thus will control the weak king, which would make Somerset de facto ruler of England. York captures Joan of Arc. Somerset takes Margaret to see her father, Reignier Duke of Anjou. He agrees to give his daughter's hand in marriage to Henry in exchange for the return of his lands of Maine and Anjou. Joan is then burned at the stake by York and the other English officers as Exeter, Warwick, and Somerset look on.

Back in Westminster, Somerset and Henry are talking about his marriage to Margaret, and Henry is impressed by her description. However Gloucester and Exeter are not pleased, for Henry was already betrothed to the daughter of the Earl of Armangiac. Henry is convinced by Somerset and agrees to the marriage, to Gloucester's dismay. Somerset is given leave to draw up the contract as he sees fit. Gloucester and Exeter are visibly disappointed. Somerset wants the marriage only for his own purpose, and they see their influence over Henry slipping away. This will be an important theme, as the order around Henry's court is slowly starting to erode due to the factions and power play among Henry's squabbling nobles.

Somerset delivers Margaret to Henry's court and they are married. But when the terms of the peace contract are read out, Gloucester is outraged and gives an angry speech in front of Winchester, York, Warwick, Exeter, and Suffolk. Somerset's contract does not include any dowry from Anjou. Even worse, the contract requires the return of many lands hard-won by his brother Henry V and the others present over to France, and recognizes the Dauphin (now King Charles VII of France) as king. Warwick and York are also angry for Somerset has given away lands that they earlier fought so hard to take back. So basically Somerset has given away the store and the other nobles are enraged that England got the short end of the deal and is being made fools of. Gloucester angrily storms off. This gives Winchester who is dueling with him fuel to stir up opposition to Gloucester's protector-ship. In truth, Winchester, like most of the upper nobility in this play, is vying for influence and control over King Henry, who continues to show disinterest and weakness in ruling England. Gloucester is at this point the last living brother of Henry V, meaning that until Henry VI has issue, he is next in line to the throne. Winchester and Suffolk hope to play on that in order to bring Gloucester down.

York is angrier than most. To him, this contract adds proof that Henry is unfit to rule a kingdom, and his future kingdom is basically given away. He is seen in his castle complaining about this to his wife the Duchess of York, while his older sons Edward and George spar. The Duchess implores York to be patient and wait until the time is right. Margaret and Somerset are having an affair. Somerset intends to control England through Henry and Margaret.

Gloucester is seen in the morning with his wife Eleanor. They are talking about their dreams. Eleanor is encouraging Gloucester that he should seek the crown himself, which Gloucester rejects and chides her for it. Gloucester is summoned to court. Eleanor plots to practice witchcraft against Henry, seen with a voodoo doll of the king. Unknown to her, Somerset sees her doing it. Gloucester, among all of the infighting nobles, seems to be the only one with truly good intent. He doesn't see the plots and schemes around him to remove him as Lord Protector and gain control over the king.

Margaret is complaining to Somerset that her marriage to Henry is not what she was expecting. She feels like a "subject" to Gloucester and his wife Eleanor and is clearly jealous. Somerset tells her to be patient, that he has laid plots to bring down Gloucester, and that even though they don't like Winchester, they need to work with him for now.

Suffolk and York are arguing about who should be regent of France. Gloucester tells Margaret to stay out of the argument, that the King is old enough and that "these are no woman's matters." Gloucester is attacked by York and Somerset and Winchester, who call for him to step down, blaming him for the loss of France and accusing him of other crimes. Poor Gloucester is being assailed from all sides here, and the king is too weak and ineffective to put a stop to it. He is letting himself, Gloucester, and his kingdom be torn apart by nobles who are all out for their own self-interest. This will be the beginning of England (and Henry's) downfall.

Henry is brought news by Winchester of Eleanor's witchcraft, a serious crime in England at that time. Gloucester agrees that if the charges are true that he will disown her. Eleanor is found guilty by Henry and sent to exile. Gloucester is also dismissed by Henry as Lord Protector. As Eleanor is being taken away, she warns Gloucester that there are plots laid to discredit and arrest him. Gloucester doesn't seem worried about it, since he is blameless of any crime. Gloucester is called to court. While waiting for him, Margaret and Somerset try to convince him that Gloucester is scheming to take the throne, when in fact it's just the opposite. Henry is too naive to realize that this is all a setup. Margaret and others are poisoning Henry's mind against him. Sir William Lucy informs the court that Charles has broken the marriage treaty and has claimed full control of France. When Gloucester arrives, Somerset tries to arrest Gloucester for treason, unjustly blaming him for France's loss and making up other crimes. When Gloucester turns to Henry, all the ineffectual king can do is proclaim his belief that Gloucester is innocent, yet although Henry knows this, he seems powerless to do anything about it. Gloucester calls everyone out including Queen Margaret, that they know the charges are bogus and warns Henry that they are after his life and won't stop until they see Henry himself fallen. He prophecies, "Ah! thus King Henry throws away his crutch Before his legs be firm to bear his body. Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side, And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first. Ah, that my fear were false! ah, that it were! For, good King Henry, thy decay I fear!" Prophecies in Shakespeare have this nastily little habit of coming true. Henry is despondent over Gloucester's arrest and leaves the court. Henry may only now begin to realize that this is the beginning of the end for him. One by one we are seeing Henry's true allies being taken away as his squabbling nobles vie for power. Margaret, Somerset, Suffolk, and Winchester plot to murder Gloucester as he's dragged off to the Tower of London. Somerset and Margaret are seen kissing and in bed together while Gloucester is murdered in his cell.

Soon after, Gloucester's trial day has arrived. Henry asks to have him brought before the court. Somerset goes together, knowing that the Duke is dead. When Somerset announces this, Henry faints. When he comes to, he is furious at Somerset and quickly suspects him of being the murderer. He is led into Gloucester's cell and is horrified at the dead body. Other nobles such as Warwick and York enter too. Warwick immediately says that Gloucester has been murdered and he and York accuse Somerset. This only inflames the already existing feud between them. Henry recovers and scolds everyone for fighting and drawing swords in the body's presence. York accuses Somerset and warns Henry that he might be next. Henry banishes Somerset and Suffolk. When Margaret tries to plead for Somerset, Henry is enraged further and refuses to listen.

After they all go outside, Margaret begs Henry to reconsider. Henry relents and takes back the banishment. York is apoplectic. To him this wishy-washiness is further proof that Henry is unfit to rule. He openly declares himself as the rightful king, and Warwick goes to his side. Margaret calls for the troops to arm. York and Warwick leave to ready their troops. York goes back to his home to round up his sons, Edward, George, and Richard (the future Richard III), whose hunchbacked silhouette we see coming through the gate. This is the end of episode 1, which in the original plays, is most of the way through Part II.