When Does "Henry VI Part 1" (1592) Take Place?
"The first Part of Henry the Sixt" (often released simply as "Henry VI Part 1" or "Henry VI") is a historical fiction stageplay written by William Shakespeare (possibly with someone anonymous) that released as early as March 1592 (according to most scholars). So when is "Henry VI Part 1" set?
It takes place in the year:
We know this because act one scene one depicts the funeral of the real-world English King Henry V (1386-1422), who died on August 31st, 1422 AD. So it most likely begins in September of 1422 AD.
It takes place in the year:
1422 AD - 1431 AD
We know this because act one scene one depicts the funeral of the real-world English King Henry V (1386-1422), who died on August 31st, 1422 AD. So it most likely begins in September of 1422 AD.
Later, the play concludes soon after the execution of the real-world Jehanne d'Arc (or Joan of Arc: 1412-1431). Her execution by burning occurred on May 30th, 1431 AD. So it is June of 1431 AD at the end.
It is a chronologically late play in the Henriad universe (one of Shakespeare's only two series) and can be read at its timeline point after the previous play, "Henry V" (1599).
It was partially adapted to audio-drama in 1923, as an audio-drama again in 1936, then to audio-drama again in 1947, and once again in 1952 as "The Wars of the Roses", then to audio-drama for Canadian radio in 1954, to television in 1960 as "The Red Rose and the White", for German television in 1964 as "Heinrich VI", for audio-drama again in 1971, once again as an audio-drama in 1977 as two parts: "Joan of Arc" and "The White Rose and the Red", then to television again in 1983, and, finally, to audio-drama for German radio in 1985 as "Shakespeare's Rosenkriege".
