# Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester — Henry VI, Part II character guide

> Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Nell, Sweet Nell, gentle Nell, Dame Eleanor, Eleanor, Dame Eleanor Cobham, Gloucester Eleanor, Lady Eleanor, Duchess, Duchess Tut, Exeunt Duchess, Duchess Ay

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Gloucester's ambitious wife, whose dabbling in sorcery to glimpse the crown's future becomes the lever that topples her husband.

## Who they are

Eleanor Cobham is the proud wife of the protector, restless under the modest place a duke's consort is allowed. Her consultation of conjurers and witches — seeking to know what fortune holds for her husband — hands her enemies the weapon they need against Gloucester's house. She matters because her fall is the first great blow struck in the campaign to strip the good duke of his staff and his influence.

## In the story

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

Reveals her own dream of being crowned queen and conspires with Hume to consult witches and conjurers.

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

Participates in the conjuring ritual to learn the fates of the king and nobles, is arrested by York and Buckingham.

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

Mentioned as the ringleader of the conspiracy involving witches and conjurers against the king.

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

Sentenced to public penance and banishment to the Isle of Man for witchcraft and treason; accepts her fate with dignity.

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

Paraded in a white sheet, laments her shame, warns Gloucester of enemies, and is taken to the Isle of Man.

## Links

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