Mad Bios: Talbot–Enemies in His Own House

If an alternative title for 3 Henry VI is The True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York then 1 Henry VI could justifiably be called the tragedy of Sir John Talbot. Talbot, the preeminent English military leader in France, is not, however, a tragic figure who fails because of his own weaknesses or mistakes. Instead, his defeat and death are caused by the failures of his king and his fellow commanders. 

Talbot’s importance to the English cause in France is underscored even before he makes his first appearance in 1 Henry VI. When Henry V’s funeral is interrupted by a series of messengers with bad news from France, the final and worst blow is word of Talbot’s capture by the French. Significantly, and as a portent for the future, Talbot was captured not because of French military prowess, but because of English cowardice.

Fortunately for the English, Talbot is quickly freed and resumes wreaking havoc among the enemy. The French turn to trickery because they have no success against Talbot on the battlefield. Shortly after his return, a French countess tries to trap Talbot, but he is far too smart for her. While the whirlwind of battles and sieges in 1 Henry VI may make it seem like the French under Joan Puzel’s leadership win battle after battle, in fact, the French heroine does no better than break even against the English hero. 

Unfortunately, while Talbot prevails against French arms and French trickery, he has less success with his own side. Incredibly, after seeing the obvious enmity between the Dukes of Somerset and York, Henry VI still assigns them joint responsibility to support Talbot in a crucial battle. Since the two men don’t trust each other, it is no surprise that they fail at the crucial moment leaving Talbot and his only son to face defeat and death. Even the victorious French, however, know that it is more of an English defeat than a French victory as the Dauphin admits that “Had York and Somerset brought rescue in / We should have found a bloody day of this.” 

The loss of Talbot is triply tragic because it happens at a crucial moment, marks the end of English military success in France, and, above all, because it was caused by his own side. Although no guns were fired, it is almost as if Talbot was the victim of friendly fire or, perhaps more accurately, the misfire of English leadership.