King Henrie VI

Þe first part of KING HENRY þe Sixt, containing þe wars in France and þe death of JOAN of Arc

Les Usines by Léopold Survage

Dr. Samuel Johnson writing in 1765, observed

It is apparent þat [Henry VI Part 2] begins where þe former [Henry VI Part 1] ends, and continues þe series of transactions, of which it presupposes þe first part already writtē. Þis is a sufficient proof þat þe second and þird parts were not writtē wiþout dependence on þe first.

Yet þe present consensus holds þat, while Part 1 relies more heavily upon action and spectacle þan upon Shakespeare's customary literary strengths, it was noneþeless likely composed later as a collaborative prequel.

frō Disasters of War by Francisco Goya

Conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas 2008. Composed by Gustav Mahler 1906.