# Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester — Henry VI, Part II character guide

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

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Gloucester, my Lord of Gloucester, good Gloucester, the good Duke Humphrey, Duke Humphrey, Humphrey, good Duke Humphrey, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, uncle Humphrey, smooth Duke Humphrey, the false Duke Humphrey, good Humphrey

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

## Snapshot

The honest Lord Protector whose popularity with the commons makes him the one man every schemer in the court needs to destroy.

## Who they are

Gloucester is the king's uncle and the realm's protector, a man whose plain dealing and open table have won him the love of the people. That same integrity puts him at odds with Suffolk, Beaufort, and eventually the queen, who see his virtue as an obstacle to their own advancement. He matters because his fall, more than any battle, marks the moment England's government stops pretending to be one thing.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Gloucester serves as the Lord Protector and loyal uncle to the king, but is increasingly undermined and isolated.

### [Cardinal Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/cardinal_beaufort)

_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_

Gloucester serves as the Lord Protector and loyal uncle to the king, but is increasingly undermined and isolated.

### [Cardinal Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_ii_se/characters/cardinal_beaufort)

_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_

Gloucester serves as the Lord Protector and loyal uncle to the king, but is increasingly undermined and isolated.

## In the story

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

Protector of the realm; openly grieves the loss of Anjou and Maine and warns of France's fall.

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

Appears troubled by a prophetic dream and rebukes his wife Eleanor for her ambitious thoughts.

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

Defends himself against accusations; proposes trial by combat for the armorer; remains loyal to the king.

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

Protector of the realm, he is taunted by Suffolk and the Cardinal, cleverly exposes Simpcox's fraud, but is devastated by news of his wife Eleanor's arrest.

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

Forced to resign his staff as Protector; grieves over his wife's dishonor and foresees his own downfall.

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

Appears in mourning, watches his wife's penance, urges patience, and is summoned to parliament.

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

Arrested for high treason, he protests his innocence and warns that his death will be the prologue to further tragedy.

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

Referenced by the Captain as 'good Duke Humphrey,' whose death Suffolk smiled at.

## Links

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