# Henry — Essays character guide

> Henry in Essays by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Henry the Sixth

**First appearance:** 0003-of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession

## Who they are

English king cited in discussions of hereditary succession.

## Relationships

### [Edward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/edward)

_family_

Edward and Henry are likely father and son, with frequent interactions suggesting a close but possibly tense familial bond.

### [William the Conqueror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/william_the_conqueror)

_family_

Henry and William the Conqueror are related through royal lineage, possibly as father and son or uncle and nephew.

### [Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/charles_ii)

_family_

Charles II and Henry are likely brothers or close relatives within the Stuart dynasty.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

Henry, likely a monarch or aristocrat, opposes Paine's democratic and anti-monarchical views.

### [Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/mary)

_family_

Henry and Mary are siblings or parent-child, with interactions suggesting domestic or dynastic matters.

### [George Chalmers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/george_chalmers)

_professional_

Chalmers likely serves or writes in support of Henry, a monarch or noble, as a political ally.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

Henry, likely a monarch or aristocrat, opposes Paine's democratic and anti-monarchical views.

## In the story

### [Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession)

Mentioned in the context of the Wars of the Roses, where Henry was prisoner to Edward and vice versa, illustrating the instability of hereditary succession.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/endnotes)

Henry the Eighth and Henry the Sixth are mentioned in the 'Royal Pedigree' as part of the lineage of George III.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/henry
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters