Henry VI Part 3 Act 4, Scene 7 Summary

Read the full text of Henry VI Part 3 Act 4 Scene 7 with a side-by-side translation HERE.


  • Edward, Richard, Hastings, and their men arrive at the city of York. They've had some help from Burgundy and are ready to enter the city. That should be easy enough, right?
  • Wrong. The Mayor of York won't let them in; he says that Henry is the king and that they're shutting out Edward on purpose.
  • Wait a minute, says Edward. Sure, Henry's the king, but Edward is at least the Duke of York. To sweeten the deal, Hastings claims they are Henry's friends.
  • The Mayor agrees to open the gates and let them in.
  • Edward says that he only wants to be Duke of York right now. He needs rest.
  • That doesn't go over too well with Montgomery, who doesn't want to serve a measly old duke; he wants to serve a king. He's happy to leave if Edward just wants to be a duke.
  • Edward says he just wants to come up with a plan. They can't go and fight Henry now; they need rest.
  • Hastings disagrees; he wants to go now and hit Henry hard. Montgomery says he will help.
  • Even though Edward is uncertain, he agrees to this. He will go and claim his right to the throne. Again.