Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition (Initial Situation): Throne-Hopping
Even though York has just declared victory after a big battle with Henry, he shouldn't go crown-fitting just yet. He sits on the throne, but Henry and his gang tell York to scram. Beat it. No, seriously—we want you dead. There's anger, name-calling, and even swords out on both sides, but Henry and York decide to handle the whole thing civilly. They strike up a deal: Henry gets the crown for now, but then York and his kids will get it after he's dead.
Uhh... we'll let you decide who won that one.
Rising Action (Conflict, Complication): Deal, or No Deal?
Margaret is sure that York got the better end of the bargain. And guess what? York's kids say the exact same thing about Henry. It turns out neither side is happy with the deal. York's sons decide to steal the crown back from Henry. Then Margaret and her troops kill York's youngest son Rutland and capture York.
Climax (Crisis, Turning Point): Heads Will Roll
Margaret has York by the head. Literally: she cuts it off and puts it on a pike for all to see. It's one big insult for York's whole fam. York's kids can't stand it and decide to involve France to make the war bigger and better.
York's eldest son Edward takes over and says he will marry the French princess to get the French on his side. Margaret also decides to use her wit and charm on the French king. Both of these plans work (in a way), but Edward screws up at home by marrying Lady Grey, after which Warwick switches sides.
Falling Action: There Will Be Blood
Once Warwick and Margaret get back from France, it all goes downhill. They gather troops from here, there, and everywhere to fight Edward, and they put up a good fight, too. Together with George, they free Henry and take over for him until his son can rule. They make impassioned speeches and defend themselves again and again. In the end, it just isn't enough.
Resolution (Denouement): Crowning Moments
Edward wins and sends most his enemies packing (translation: he kills them). He has a special treat for Margaret, though: he makes her watch her son get stabbed. When she begs to die, he refuses to have her killed. Something tells us this won't be the end of Margaret, but everyone forgets her when Edward's baby son and wife come in, and they all celebrate the fact that Edward is king.
Richard, however, isn't celebrating anything anytime soon. He kills Henry, and he's coming for Edward next.