# Cardinal Beaufort — Henry VI, Part II character guide

> Cardinal Beaufort in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Beaufort, Cardinal, Cardinal Beaufort, uncle Beaufort, the Cardinal Beaufort

**First appearance:** 0000-henry-vi-part-ii

## Snapshot

A prince of the church who keeps a sword under his robes, Beaufort hates his nephew Gloucester with a malice no prayer can sweeten.

## Who they are

Beaufort is the king's great-uncle, a cardinal whose wealth and pride make him a rival power to the protectorate itself. His feud with Gloucester runs so hot that the two men arrange a duel in a grove while the king stands between them begging for peace. He matters because he shows how thoroughly the sacred and the political have collapsed into each other, and how little holiness restrains a man who wants to win.

## Relationships

### [Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/humphrey_duke_of_gloucester)

_rivalry_

Beaufort is a bitter political enemy of Gloucester, constantly plotting his downfall.

### [King Henry VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/king_henry_vi)

_professional_

Beaufort is a powerful churchman and advisor to the king, but his counsel is often self-interested.

### [Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/humphrey_duke_of_gloucester)

_rivalry_

Beaufort is a bitter political enemy of Gloucester, constantly plotting his downfall.

### [King Henry VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/king_henry_vi)

_professional_

Beaufort is a powerful churchman and advisor to the king, but his counsel is often self-interested.

## In the story

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

Defends the treaty and plots against Gloucester, accusing him of being a threat to the king.

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

Mentioned as one of the conspirators who hired Hume to undermine the Duchess.

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

Joins the lords in criticizing Gloucester's governance.

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

Antagonistic toward Gloucester, he challenges him to a duel and later gloats over Eleanor's downfall.

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

Mentioned by Eleanor as a false priest plotting against Gloucester.

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

Supports the plot against Gloucester, insisting on a legal pretext for his execution.

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

Mentions a dream about Gloucester being dumb. Later reported to be at death's door, raving and seeing Gloucester's ghost.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Dies in a state of madness and despair, haunted by guilt and refusing to signal hope.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/cardinal_beaufort
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters