# Prince Edward of Westminster — Henry VI, Part III character guide

> Prince Edward of Westminster in Henry VI, Part III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Prince Edward, Edward, Ned, sweet Ned

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

## Snapshot

Margaret's fierce young son and Henry VI's heir, raised to fight for a crown his father's weakness keeps slipping from Lancaster's grasp.

## Who they are

Prince Edward stands at the center of the Lancastrian claim, a boy whose birthright his mother defends with more ferocity than his father ever musters. When Henry disinherits him in favor of York, the prince's wounded protest exposes the family fracture beneath the dynastic war. His presence forces every negotiation to reckon with the future: whoever holds England must eventually answer to Henry's son.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Prince Edward is Henry's beloved son and heir, whose death in battle devastates Henry and ends the Lancastrian line.

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

_family_

Prince Edward is Henry's beloved son and heir, whose death in battle devastates Henry and ends the Lancastrian line.

## In the story

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

Appears with his mother Margaret, questioning his father's decision to disinherit him.

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

Present on the battlefield with Queen Margaret and the nobles.

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

Knighted by his father, he pledges to fight for his birthright.

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

Enters with Margaret and Exeter, frantically telling his father to flee as Warwick rages and death pursues them.

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

Mentioned by Henry as having gone to France with Queen Margaret to seek aid.

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

Betrothed to Warwick's daughter as a pledge of loyalty, accepts the alliance.

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

Echoes his mother's valiant spirit, offering fearful men permission to leave before battle.

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

Defiantly insults the Yorkists and is stabbed to death.

## Links

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