Shakespeare’s English Histories

Abstract

Shakespeare’s first histories were a series, Henry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III, covering the years 1422 to 1485, which told the story of the so-called Wars of the Roses, when members of the York and Lancaster families were fighting for the crown. This series ended with the defeat of King Richard III on Bosworth Field by Henry Tudor, who became King Heny VII. But it was not advisable to go on to write the next play about Henry VII, because he was the grandfather of Shakespeare’s own Queen, Elizabeth, and too nearly contemporary. It was much safer to avoid current politics on the stage.