# Queen Margaret — Henry VI, Part II character guide

> Queen Margaret in Henry VI, Part II by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Margaret, Meg, dame Margaret, the Lady Margaret

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

## Snapshot

A French princess with no dowry and a fierce will, Margaret arrives in England already more king than her husband, and far less merciful.

## Who they are

Margaret enters the play as Suffolk's trophy bride, handed to Henry in a ceremony that costs England two duchies. Her quick wit and quicker pride make her a natural partisan in the court's feuds, and her bond with Suffolk gives her a weapon the king lacks. She matters because she turns the queen's chamber into a second court, one where softer men like Gloucester get no mercy.

## Relationships

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

_romantic_

Henry is married to Margaret, but their relationship is strained by her ambition and his passive piety.

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

_romantic_

Henry is married to Margaret, but their relationship is strained by her ambition and his passive piety.

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

_romantic_

Henry is married to Margaret, but their relationship is strained by her ambition and his passive piety.

## In the story

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

Arrives in England as Henry's bride; her speech reflects her intelligence and confidence.

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

Mentioned as accompanying the king to Saint Albans.

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

Angry at Gloucester's influence; strikes the Duchess of Gloucester; conspires with Suffolk to destroy Humphrey.

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

Openly hostile to Gloucester, she accuses him of ambition and later laughs at the exposed fraud Simpcox.

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

Supports Henry's decision to strip Gloucester of his protectorship and expresses satisfaction at the downfall of Gloucester and Eleanor.

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

Mentioned by Eleanor as an ally of Suffolk who hates Gloucester.

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

Leads the accusation against Gloucester, portraying him as a threat, and later conspires with the nobles to have him killed.

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

Defends Suffolk against Warwick's accusations and laments her own reputation. Shares a passionate farewell with Suffolk before his exile.

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

Referenced as the intended recipient of Suffolk's message and as the one who will mourn his death.

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

Grieves over Suffolk's head, lamenting his death and expressing despair.

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

Present with the king during the scene.

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

Margaret boldly supports Somerset and confronts York, refusing to hide him.

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

Urges Henry to flee, showing pragmatism and resolve.

## Links

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