eight years old. The 2d and 3d parts of Henry VI similarly give him a prominent part in Edward's early struggles.
I. iii. 128. factious for the house of Lancaster. Cf. 3 Henry VI, III. ii. 6, in which it is stated that Sir John Grey died 'in quarrel of the house of York.' The statement of Richard that Sir John was a Lancastrian is historically correct.
I. iii. 130. Margaret's battle. Margaret was victorious at St. Albans in the battle of Bernard's Heath on Feb. 17, 1461. Some editors, however, believe that 'battle' here has the meaning of 'army.'
I. iii. 160–162. The structure of these lines is confused. They may be paraphrased as follows: Which of you who looks at me does not tremble, if not because, as subjects, you bow before your queen, then since, as rebels, you quake before the sovereign you have deposed?
I. iii. 167. Margaret fled into France in 1464 after the battle of Hexham. Edward issued a proclamation forbidding her to return. On April 14, 1471, she landed at Weymouth. After the battle of Tewkesbury she was confined in the Tower until 1475. In 1476 she again went to France, after which time she did not return to England. She died in 1482. The historical time of the present scene is 1488, hence her introduction here is dramatic fiction.
I. iii. 174. The curse my noble father laid on thee. Cf. 3 Henry VI, I. iv. 164–166: 'There, take the crown, and with the crown my curse, And in thy need such comfort come to thee As now I reap at thy too cruel hand!'
I. iii. 187. Northumberland. Sir Henry Percy, third Earl of Northumberland, killed at Towton, 1461. Cf. 3 Henry VI, I. iv. 150–151; 169–174.
I. iii. 228. elvish-mark'd. A disfigurement given by the elves to a child at birth.
