This play rounds out the trilogy of Henry VI plays. These plays plus Richard III make up the play cycle often called "The War of the Roses". In King Henry VI Part 3, King Henry VI and York come to an agreement that Henry will rule while he is alive, and after he is dead, he will pass the crown on to York. York's sons, Edward and Richard, urge him to just kill Henry, so that he can have the throne right away. Meanwhile, Clifford stabs and kills York. York's son, Richard, seeks revenge on Clifford for the murder. At the end of the play, Richard also kills Henry, but Edward is still alive -- at least, for now.
