William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 3 William Shakespeare

In the House of Parliament, the duke of York, his sons, and the earl of Warwick rejoice over their success at Saint Albans. Riding hard, the Yorkists arrive in London ahead of the routed king, and Henry, entering with his lords, is filled with consternation when he sees York already seated on the throne, to which Warwick conducted him. Some of the king's followers are sympathetic toward York and others are fearful of his power; the two attitudes result in defection in the royal ranks. Seeing his stand weakened, the king attempts to avert disorder by disinheriting his own son and by pledging the crown to York and his sons, on the condition that York stop the civil war and remain loyal to the king during his lifetime. Annoyed by the reconciliation and contemptuous toward the king because of her son's disinheritance, Queen Margaret deserts the king and raises her own army to protect her son's rights to the throne. The queen's army marches against York's castle as York is sending his sons to recruit forces for another rebellion. York's sons persuade their father that his oath to the king is not binding because his contract with the king was not made in due course of law before a magistrate.