Introduction to the play
Henry VI, Part 1 is an uncompromising celebration of early English nationalism that contrasts the English with the French, portrayed here as effeminate and scheming.
A boy king, Henry VI, is on the English throne, and the indomitable Talbot leads the English cause in France. Joan La Pucelle (Joan of Arc), who becomes captain of the French, claims to be chosen by the Virgin Mary to liberate France. The English, however, consider her a sensual witch.
Many of the English nobility remain, quarreling, at home. Once in France, some seek permission to fight each other there. Talbot and his son cannot prevail; the English defeat themselves by preying on each other.
The Folger Shakespeare
Our bestselling editions of Shakespeare's plays and poems
Fight till the last gasp.
—Pucelle
Act 1, scene 2, line 130
She’s beautiful, and therefore to be wooed;
She is a woman, therefore to be won.
—Suffolk
Act 5, scene 3, lines 78–79
Henry VI, Part 1 in our collection
A selection of Folger collection items related to Henry VI, Part 1. Find more in our digital image collection
Essays and resources from The Folger Shakespeare
Henry VI, Part 1
Learn more about the play, its language, and its history from the experts behind our edition.
About Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part 1
An introduction to the plot, themes, and characters in the play
Reading Shakespeare’s Language
A guide for understanding Shakespeare’s words, sentences, and wordplay
An Introduction to This Text
A description of the publishing history of the play and our editors’ approach to this edition
Graphic: English Ancestry of King Henry VI
Textual Notes
A record of the variants in the early printings of this text
Appendix: Authorship of Henry VI, Part 1
Appendix: Shakespeare’s Two Tetralogies
Appendix: Joan la Pucelle, or Joan of Arc
A Modern Perspective
An essay by Phyllis Rackin
Further Reading
Suggestions from our experts on where to learn more
Shakespeare and his world
Learn more about Shakespeare, his theater, and his plays from the experts behind our editions.
Shakespeare’s Life
An essay about Shakespeare and the time in which he lived
Shakespeare’s Theater
An essay about what theaters were like during Shakespeare’s career
The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays
An essay about how Shakespeare’s plays were published
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Teaching Henry VI, Part 1
Use the Folger Method to teach any of Shakespeare’s works. Become a Teacher Member to get exclusive access to lesson plans and professional development.
The Key to Getting ALL Students Understanding and Interpreting Complex Texts
The Key to Getting ALL Students Understanding and Interpreting Complex Texts
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2-Line Scenes - General Shakespeare
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Essential Everyday Bravery
Early printed texts
Henry VI, Part 1 was first published in the 1623 First Folio and that text serves as the source for all subsequent editions of the play.
