# Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick — Henry VI, Part II character guide

> Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Warwick, Lord Warwick, good Warwick, Warwick Beaufort, Cardinal Ambitious Warwick, Warwick Father, Warwick Madam

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

## Snapshot

The great Neville earl whose plain dealing and popular following make him the hinge on which England's crown may one day turn.

## Who they are

Warwick enters as a lord of enormous landed power and rare public trust, the kind of man whose endorsement can make or unmake a king. He loves the common profit and hates the pride of Suffolk and the cardinal, yet his private assurance to York — that Warwick shall one day make York king — reveals an ambition as large as his patriotism. His decision to throw his weight behind York rather than Lancaster sets the dynastic conflict in motion.

## In the story

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

Mourns the loss of Anjou and Maine, which he had conquered, and aligns with Salisbury.

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

Supports York as worthier than Somerset; clashes with Suffolk and Buckingham.

### [Scene II: York's Claim to the Crown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Warwick enthusiastically supports York's claim, kneels to him as rightful king, and prophesies that he himself will one day make York king.

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

Present in the parliament but does not speak in this scene.

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

Accuses Suffolk of murdering Duke Humphrey and challenges him to a duel. Represents the commons' demand for Suffolk's punishment.

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

Observes the Cardinal's death and remarks that such a bad death argues a monstrous life.

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

Mentioned as rising in arms against Suffolk, hating his corruption.

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

Warwick supports York and engages in a verbal duel with Clifford.

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

Calls out Clifford and engages in the battle, seeking a crown for York.

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

Celebrates the battle and vows to follow the enemy to London.

## Links

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