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The First Part of King Henry the Sixth by William Shakespeare is the first in a series of four historical plays often referred to as "The First Tetralogy". The play deals with the reign of Henry the Sixth, specifically the loss of English held French territories and the influence of Joan of Arc. The tetralogy as a whole depicts the War of the Roses.

The play opens with the funeral of Henry the Fifth whose loss is greatly mourned. The Duke of Gloucester is Lord Protector of the English Realm and therefore in charge of the Kingdom during the years that Henry the Sixth is too young to occupy the throne.

The King's noblemen constantly argue and cross each other with the Lords Gloucester and Winchester being particularly opposed to one another.

A messenger arrives with news that many English held French territories have been reclaimed due to weakened forces in the country. The Dauphin, Charles, has been crowned king and Lord Talbot has been taken prisoner in Orleans. The English forces are holding a siege on Orleans despite being starved and depleted in numbers.

In France the Bastard of Orleans brings a young woman called Joan La Pucelle (Joan of Arc) to the Dauphin. Joan claims to have seen the Virgin Mary in a vision and to have been infused with divine strength to drive the English out of France. Joan urges that the Dauphin does not yield to the siege and instead leads the French forces to push the English back.

Outside the Tower Of London Gloucester and Winchester argue and insult one another. Winchester accuses Gloucester of trying to exert excessive control upon the young king and so rule the country through him. A brawl breaks out between the serving men of the two lords which is eventually broken up by the Mayor of London.

English men serving in France are overjoyed when Talbot is freed but this joy is cut short when Joan Pucelle drives the English back from Orleans. Talbot still manages to re-enter the city in order to bury the English dead within it.

The Countess of Auvergne sends a flattering message to Talbot saying that she wishes to meet with him at her castle. Once Talbot arrives the Countess claims that she has trapped him but Talbot says that his physical presence is only a small part of what his soul belongs to. At his signal soldiers enter and the trap is foiled.

In the Temple Garden in London a point of law is under dispute between two opposed groups. The groups are represented by Richard Plantagenet and Somerset. Plantagenet picks himself

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