A fresh look at a play usually regarded as the first component of a threepart historical epic this edition argues that Henry VI Part 1 is a prequel a freestanding piece that returns for ironic and dramatic effect to a story already familiar to its audience. The plays ingenious use of stage space is closely analysed as is its manipulation of a series of setpiece combats to give a coherent syntax of action. Discussion of the dramatic structure created by the opposing figures of Talbot and Jeanne