Original: Once more we sit in England’s royal throne,
Modern: Once again we sit on England’s royal throne,

Original: Re-purchased with the blood of enemies.
Modern: Won back with the blood of our enemies.

Original: What valiant foemen, like to autumn’s corn,
Modern: What brave enemy soldiers, like autumn grain,

Original: Have we mow’d down, in tops of all their pride!
Modern: Have we cut down, even at the height of their power!

Original: Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown’d
Modern: Three Dukes of Somerset, triply famous

Original: For hardy and undoubted champions;
Modern: As tough and proven warriors;

Original: Two Cliffords, as the father and the son,
Modern: Two Cliffords, both the father and the son,

Original: And two Northumberlands; two braver men
Modern: And two Northumberlands; two braver men

Original: Ne’er spurr’d their coursers at the trumpet’s sound;
Modern: Never rode their horses into battle at the trumpet’s call;

Original: With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague,
Modern: Along with them, the two fierce bears, Warwick and Montague,

Original: That in their chains fetter’d the kingly lion
Modern: Who with their chains captured the kingly lion

Original: And made the forest tremble when they roar’d.
Modern: And made the forest shake when they roared.

Original: Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
Modern: This is how we’ve removed all threats from our throne

Original: And made our footstool of security.
Modern: And created a firm foundation of safety.

Original: Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.
Modern: Come here, Bess, and let me kiss my boy.

Original: Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself
Modern: Young Ned, for you, your uncles and I

Original: Have in our armours watch’d the winter’s night,
Modern: Have stood guard in our armor through winter nights,

Original: Went all afoot in summer’s scalding heat,
Modern: Marched on foot in summer’s burning heat,

Original: That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace;
Modern: So that you might reclaim the crown in peace;

Original: And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain.
Modern: And you will enjoy the rewards of our hard work.

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.