Henry VI, Part 1

A child king. A warrior maid. A country tearing itself apart.

Shakespeare's first history play is a sprawling, bloody epic about the beginning of the Wars of the Roses, and the play that launched his career.

Henry V is dead. His nine-month-old son, Henry VI, inherits the thrones of England and France. But the English nobles cannot agree on anything except their own ambition. The Duke of Gloucester argues with the Bishop of Winchester. The Duke of York watches from the shadows. In France, Joan la Pucelle (Joan of Arc) leads the French army to victory after victory, inspiring her countrymen and terrifying the English. The play moves from battlefields to courtrooms to the Temple Garden, where Richard Plantagenet picks a white rose, and the Duke of Somerset picks a red—and the Wars of the Roses begin.

This is Shakespeare at his most young and ambitious: a play about nationalism, religious hypocrisy, and the chaos that follows when a king is too weak to rule. Henry VI, Part 1 is the least performed of Shakespeare's history plays, but it contains the seeds of everything that would follow.

• Probably Shakespeare's first play, written around 1589–1592, possibly in collaboration with Thomas Nashe or others

• The first play in Shakespeare's first tetralogy (followed by Henry VI, Part 2, Henry VI, Part 3, and Richard III)

• Features Joan of Arc (presented as a sorceress and a whore), a portrayal that has been fiercely criticized since the 20th century

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

A beautifully crafted edition for your shelf, your device, or your ears—or the perfect gift for anyone who knows that the most dangerous king is the one who wears the crown too young.

About the Author

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he moved to London and became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later the King's Men). Henry VI, Part 1 is believed to be Shakespeare's first play, written around 1589–1592. The play's authorship has been debated: many scholars believe Shakespeare collaborated with other playwrights, including Thomas Nashe, especially on the scenes set in France. The play was first published in the First Folio (1623); no earlier quarto survives. Henry VI, Part 1 was not performed for many years after the 17th century, but it has seen a revival in modern times, often as part of a complete cycle of the history plays. The portrayal of Joan of Arc has been a particular focus of criticism: Shakespeare's Joan is a witch and a liar, a caricature of the real historical figure who was canonized in 1920. Modern productions often struggle with this depiction. Shakespeare's other major works include Richard III, Henry V, Hamlet, and The Tempest. He died in 1616 at the age of 52 and is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.