# Lord Clifford — Henry VI, Part III character guide

> Lord Clifford in Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Clifford, valiant Clifford, stern Lord Clifford, boisterous Clifford

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A Lancastrian lord whose grief for his slain father hardens into a vendetta so absolute it makes him the most feared man on the field.

## Who they are

Clifford enters the play already grieving, his father killed at St Albans, and he vows never to kneel to the man responsible. When Henry VI agrees to disinherit his own son, Clifford's fury at the king's weakness rivals his hatred of York, and he storms out with Northumberland and Westmoreland. His refusal to accept compromise makes him the engine of the war's bloodiest escalations.

## In the story

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

Vows to fight for Henry, condemns the disinheritance of Prince Edward, and leaves in disgust.

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

Clifford murders Rutland to avenge his father's death, showing merciless cruelty.

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

Stabs York in revenge for his father's death; participates in the execution.

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

Mentioned as the murderer of York and Rutland, and as a feared commander in the queen's army.

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

Proudly admits to killing Rutland and York, urges Henry to fight, and delivers a passionate oration for the Lancastrian cause.

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

Boasts of killing York and Rutland, fights Richard, then flees at Warwick's approach.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Dies from wounds received in battle, lamenting the fall of Lancaster and the leniency of King Henry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_iii_se/characters/clifford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_iii_se/characters