# Earl of Salisbury — Henry VI, Part I character guide

> Earl of Salisbury in Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Lords Salisbury, Salisbury, mad-brain’d Salisbury, old Salisbury

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

## Snapshot

An old English commander whose long service in France ends abruptly, reminding the audience that even the veteran lords are not safe from the war's random violence.

## Who they are

Salisbury is one of the elder English lords gathered at Henry V's funeral, mourning a king whose death has already begun to unravel the realm. He fights on in France as a seasoned commander, his presence a link to the glorious past that the new generation cannot match. His death by cannon fire at Orleans is a sharp lesson in the play's theme: in this war, no rank and no experience guarantees survival.

## In the story

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

Besieging Orleans; requests reinforcements as his army weakens.

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

Mortally wounded by a cannon shot while surveying Orleans from the turret; dies after urging Talbot to avenge him.

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

Mentioned as needing to make his testament; his death is referenced as a point of shame for the English.

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

His body is brought forth and honored by Talbot.

## Links

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