# Duke of Gloucester — Henry VI, Part I character guide

> Duke of Gloucester in Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duke of Gloucester, the noble Duke of Gloucester, Gloucester, King O, loving uncle, kind Duke of Gloucester, ambitious Humphry, Humphrey of Gloucester, Humphrey

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Henry the Fifth's brother and the realm's Lord Protector, whose fierce exchange with Winchester at the funeral opens the play's first crack in English unity.

## Who they are

Gloucester mourns his brother as England's one true king and takes up the protectorate over the boy Henry VI, but his authority is immediately contested by Winchester, who mocks his proud wife and his worldly appetites. He trades insults with the cardinal over the dead king's coffin while Bedford begs for peace, and later he must stoop to clasp Winchester's hand for the king's sake. His running feud with the churchman, and his role in restoring Richard Plantagenet, place him at the center of the court's unraveling.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Protector of the realm; quarrels with Winchester and vows to prepare for war.

### [Scene III: The Tower Confrontation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Confronts Winchester at the Tower, asserting his authority as lord protector.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Protector of the realm, he accuses Winchester of treason and usury, and later yields to the king's plea for peace, though with a hollow heart.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Present at court, he confirms Talbot's identity to the King.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Acts as protector; rebukes the quarreling servants and lords, and reads Burgundy's treasonous letter.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

The Lord Protector advises peace and the marriage alliance, and arranges the ambassadors' departure.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-v)

Protector who opposes the marriage to Margaret, citing Henry's existing betrothal and the dishonor of breaking it.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/characters/duke_of_gloucester
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/characters