Character Analysis
Richard, Duke of York is Henry VI's biggest opponent. Why? Well, once upon a time, it was decided that the English throne would pass down from father to son to son to son… you get the idea. This worked out great until Richard II came along and didn't have any kids. The rule was that if this happened, the throne should have passed to Richard's oldest brother, and then to that brother's kids.
If things had actually gone down that way (they didn't), York would have eventually become king, since he was descended from Richard II's oldest bro. Sure, Henry VI is the son of the past king—Henry V, who was the son of Henry IV—but Henry IV (Henry VI's grandpa) pretty much stole the throne from Richard II. If everything had gone along naturally, Henry VI never would have become king. York would have.
Phew. We got through that.
Crowning Moments
York has already waged war with Henry VI in Henry VI, Part 2, and he's ready to take a seat on the throne (literally) when Henry VI, Part 3 opens. He stands firm when it comes to the issue of his right to the throne. But he also seems like a reasonable guy: when Henry offers him a deal, he takes it. He doesn't want more war and death to linger over England.
At least that's what he says. We're not so sure: he quickly—a little too quickly—changes his mind when his kids convince him that he should go for the crown now and not wait around for it. After all, if he croaks before Henry croaks, he'll never get the throne.
Well, so much for the gentlemen's agreement York made with Henry. That goes down the toilet.
York pays the price for his actions too. We don't actually see him kill Clifford's dad in this play—that happens in Henry VI, Part 2—but we sure do see the aftermath of it in this play. Clifford's son (conveniently also named Clifford) wants revenge. York killed his dad, so he kills York's son Rutland and then helps Margaret torture and kill York himself.
York dies before the end of the first act, but his legacy goes on. His sons—all of them—want the crown, and fight Henry for it long after York is gone.
Timeline