Wimpy Henry, faced with civil war, cedes his title to the Duke of York. This annoys his wife – the first great female Shakespeare character – who rises in rebellion. (I like when Clifford asks the King not to come along to battle, as the Queen does better with him not around.) A great Duke of York death scene follows, then there’s lots of changing of allegiances eg Warwick – one minute it’s pro Henry forces are winning then losing. This doesn’t have an overall protagonist – Henry is support, ditto Margaret, it’s about the Duke of York, then his son.
It’s not great Shakespeare but he probably chose to adapt this story because it offered him plenty of action and plot without having to think it up. In places you can feel him pushing himself, such as a bit where two men realise they’ve killed their father and son respectively. Like Part II the ending is open – Henry and his sons are stabbed, but you’re conscious there is another story. (At times the play feels like a trailer for Richard III – the future king does this big evil monologue in the second half.)
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