Henry VI of England

Henry VI (December 6, 1421 – May 21/22, 1471) was King of England from 1422 to 1461 (though with a Regent until 1437) and then from 1470 to 1471.

Death and legacy

Henry VI was imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he was murdered on 21st May 1471. Although legend has accused Richard, Duke of Gloucester of his murder, Richard is an unlikely suspect, having been only nineteen at the time. Each year on the anniversary of his death, the Provosts of Eton and King's College, Cambridge, lay roses and lilies on the altar which now stands where he died.

Related Topics:
Tower of London - Richard, Duke of Gloucester

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King Henry VI was originally buried in Chertsey Abbey; then, in 1485, his body was moved to St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Related Topics:
Chertsey Abbey - 1485 - St George's Chapel - Windsor Castle

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He was succeeded by Edward IV, son of Richard, Duke of York.

Related Topics:
Edward IV - Richard, Duke of York

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Ironically for one so personally pious and peace-loving, Henry left a great legacy of strife and civil war. Perhaps his one lasting positive achievement was his fostering of education—he founded both Eton College and King's College, Cambridge.

Related Topics:
Eton College - King's College, Cambridge

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In the 1590s, William Shakespeare wrote a trilogy of plays about the life of Henry VI: Henry VI, part 1, Henry VI, part 2, and Henry VI, part 3. Henry also appears as a ghost in Richard III.

Related Topics:
1590s - William Shakespeare - Henry VI, part 1 - Henry VI, part 2 - Henry VI, part 3 - Ghost - Richard III

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