In Act II, Scene 1 of Henry VI, Part 3, Edward, Richard, and their forces encounter two suns in the sky, which Edward interprets as a favorable omen representing the three sons of York. A messenger arrives with devastating news: their father, the Duke of York, has been killed in battle at Wakefield, and their younger brother Rutland has also been slain. The messenger describes how the Lancastrian forces, led by Queen Margaret, Clifford, and Northumberland, vastly outnumbered York’s army. He recounts York’s brave final stand and his cruel death at Margaret’s hands, where she mocked him with a paper crown before Clifford stabbed him. The brothers are grief-stricken but vow revenge.

Warwick arrives with additional forces and news of his own narrow escape from a battle against the Lancastrian army, where his brother was killed. Despite the losses, Warwick rallies the York brothers by presenting them with reinforcements. Edward declares his intention to march toward London and claim the throne. The scene concludes with the brothers and Warwick committing themselves to aggressive military action against King Henry and the Lancastrian forces. Edward resolves to adopt three suns as his heraldic device in remembrance of the celestial sign, and the group prepares to advance on London to seize the crown.

Henry VI, Part 3 opens with the aftermath of the Battle of St. Albans, where the Yorkists have achieved victory over the Lancastrians. The Duke of York enters Parliament and claims the throne, leading to a confrontation with King Henry VI. A compromise is reached whereby Henry remains king for his lifetime but agrees to disinherit his son Prince Edward in favor of York and his heirs. When Queen Margaret learns of this arrangement, she is furious and raises an army to defend her son’s birthright.

The conflict escalates into full civil war. Margaret’s forces defeat and kill the Duke of York at the Battle of Wakefield, but York’s sons—Edward, George, and Richard—continue the fight. They achieve victory at the Battle of Towton, where King Henry is captured and Edward of York is proclaimed King Edward IV. Henry escapes and flees to Scotland with Margaret and Prince Edward, while Edward IV consolidates his power and marries Elizabeth Woodville, causing tension with his supporter the Earl of Warwick.

Warwick, feeling betrayed by Edward’s marriage, switches sides and allies with Margaret and the exiled Henry VI. With French support, they invade England and briefly restore Henry to the throne while Edward flees to Burgundy. However, Edward returns with an army and reclaims his crown. The final act culminates in the Battle of Tewkesbury, where the Yorkists achieve decisive victory. Prince Edward is killed in battle, Queen Margaret is captured, and Henry VI is murdered in the Tower of London by Richard of Gloucester. The play concludes with Edward IV seemingly secure on the throne, though Richard’s final soliloquy hints at his own future ambitions for the crown.