I.i: Henry Tudor (Henry VII) is angered by news of an upstart rebel passing himself off as Richard, Duke of York, the younger of the two little princes supposedly killed by Richard III in the tower. Now fourteen years of age, he has come with Margaret of Burgundy's blessing that he is, indeed, heir to the throne of England under the York claim. Henry receives news that one of the conspirators has been captured by Urswick.

I.ii: In Scotland Huntly and Dalyell discuss the possibility of Huntly's daughter, Katherine, marrying bold Dalyell. Huntly likes the young man. Huntly suggests that Katherine is a fit match to the yet-unmarried James IV. They are called to court where the "second son to the late English Edward" craves audience with James IV.

I.iii: In England Clifford, once in league with "Richard York" (in fact Perkin Warbeck), has come over to the king's party and tells Henry VII of Warbeck's plans and of his secret conspirators in Henry's court. One of the conspirators is Henry's best friend and Lord Chamberlain Stanley. Stanley saved Henry Tudor on Bosworth Field and there crowned him king. News comes that the Cornish are in arms against the king for the levy of taxes upon them.

II.i: In Scotland James IV welcomes Richard to his court and offers him his protection and aid in regaining the English throne. Katherine likes the young man.

II.ii: In England the Lord Chamberlain has been condemned to be executed. Henry VII cannot see him face-to-face, however, for fear of pardoning his friend. After Henry leaves, Stanley is brought in on his way to the block. He brands Clifford an informer, prays for the success of Henry, and goes to the block. Henry returns, makes Daubeney the new Lord Chamberlain, and sends Clifford to be a virtual prisoner in his own home. He sends troops to fortify the northern border in the event James decides to launch an attack on behalf of Perkin Warbeck.

II.iii: In Scotland Crawford and Dalyell abhor James' quick acceptance of "Richard York." James, against Huntly's will, has given Katherine in marriage to Richard York/Perkin Warbeck. James is convinced he is Plantagenet.

A masque is ordered for the wedding.

Richard's minions alsao plan to play a masque for their "sovereign" Richard (his minions include a tailor, a mercer, and other low-born men).

III.i: In England Henry is in battle dress expecting the attack of the Cornish rebels. He says he has a "charm" that will turn James away from the "Flemish counterfeit." Oxford enters with news that the Cornish revolt has been quelled. Henry gives the Cornish full clemency except for the three leaders, who are executed. The taxes on Cornwall are ordered collected at once to finance the campaign against Scotland and Perkin Warbeck.

III.ii: Huntly disowns Katherine. Dalyell is his partner in affliction, having lost the woman he loved to "Richard York."

The masque is performed for the wedding celebration.

James officially proclaims Richard York true king of England. They prepare to go to war the next morning. Katherine swears her undying devotion to her new husband.

III.iii: In England a Spaniard comes from King Ferdinand to act as mediator between Henry and James. Enry's son, Arthur, is pledged to Ferdinand's daughter, Catherine. The Earl of Warwick is newly created in Henry's nephew, the son of his brother-in-law Clarence (Edward IV's third son who escaped murder in the tower).

III.iv: James confronts Durham in the northern castle of Norham. He orders the castle given over to the lawful king of England, Richard of York. Durham's refusal gives James reason to pause and consider Richard's claim. He orders the villages burned and the people raped and murdered. Richard pleads that "his" people not be treated so barbarously. James wonders why "his" people have not turned out in show of support. James learns that Henry has put down the Cornish rebellion. He decides to challenge the champion of Norham, Surrey, to single combat.

IV.i: Surrey is informed of the Scots king's challenge. He is honored to be challenged by him. Durham advises him to grasp this opportunity to make a treaty with James. Surrey goes to do so.

IV.ii: Warbeck complains to his secretary, Frion, that James has lost his initial enthusiasm for the campaign. It began to wane when the Spanish ambassador came to speak with James. Frion suggests thay go to Cornwall and stir up troops there if James shrinks from supporting them further.

IV.iii: Durham and the Spanish ambassador convince James to join in league with Henry VII. Now that Henry's son is marrying into alliance with Spain, and James is offered Henry's daughter, Margaret, amity is assured. James has only to throw Warbeck out of Scotland, thus relieving him of having to deliver the boy to England. In return, he will receive restitution for all harms.

James removes his support from Warbeck. The two part amicably. Warbeck, his followers, Katherine, and Dalyell (who joins them to protect Katherine) head for Cornwall.

IV.iv: In England Oxford and Daubeney discuss James' bold challenge to Surrey. Henry receives news that James has capitulated to terms and that Frion has been captured. Henry, guessing that Warbeck is heading for Cornwall, orders his troops to Salisbury.

IV.v: Warbeck and company have just landed on Cornish shores. They have raised four thousand Cornish bowmen and swordsmen. They march for Exeter, leaving Katherine and Dalyell behind.

V.i: In Cornwall bad news arrives from the front. Katherine despairs and wonders where to go. Dalyell brings news that the Cornish were repulsed at Exeter. Warbeck, on the approach of Henry's troops, escaped in the night from the battlefield and fled.

Oxford enters and takes Katherine and Dalyell as "guests" to the king.

V.ii: Henry is happy that Warbeck is defeated and in flight. Daubeney enters with Warbeck and his company, who have surrendered themselves from sanctuary. Warbeck is impudent tot he king and insists he is Richard of York, true heir tot he throne. Henry realizes that Warbeck has grown to believe his own lies. He determines that some time in the Tower will bring him to his right senses again. Henry welcomes Katherine and noble Dalyell as his honored guests. Katherine is only concerned about the well being of her husband. Henry ignores her requests to free Warbeck.

V.iii: Warbeck is put into the stocks and told to confess that he is not really Richard of York. He refuses. Simnel is produced. Simnel had tried to counterfeit being the Earl of Warwick but was caught, confessed, and given free pardon by Henry VII. He tries to convince Warbeck to confess. Warbeck still refuses.

Katherine enters and swears her devotion to him. Warbeck is amazed at her constancy. She swears to die his faithful widow. Huntly is brought in and is impressed with his daughter's virtue. He and Katherine are reconciled. Huntly also approves of Warbeck's virtues. Warbeck's followers, Skelton, Astley, Heron, and John-a-Water are led before Warbeck on their way to the scaffold. Warbeck cheers them on to die for their cause. Henry determines that if Warbeck will not confess and rather pleads to die, he will accommodate him.

Henry views the execution of Warbeck as a letting of blood from the body politic.

Henry Tudor, Henry VII, is portrayed as a man who succeeds not in charisma but in policy. Where Warbeck wins James IV with his personal demeanor, Henry wins the Scots king back with political promises and favorable alliances through marriage to his daughter, Margaret. He is a compassionate man who cannot see his fried, Stanley, executed for his treason. That compassion is repeated when he refuses to watch the Cornish rebel leaders executions and when he pardons the other Cornish rebels. He also pardons Simnel, the faux Earl of Warwick when he confessed. His leniency is extended to Warbeck also until it becomes apparent that Warbeck will not be corrected. Only then is he executed as a bid for lasting peace. His success lies in his administrative ability to keep his reign secure.

James IV is portrayed as a young king seeking to do what is best for his country. When Warbeck presents a promise of alliance between England and Scotland, he supports the young pretender. But when Henry presents more immediate amity between the countries by offering the Scots king his daughter, Margaret, and adds Spain's friendship besides, James is willing to reject (but not betray) the pretender whom he had supported.

Dalyell is a Fordian lover. He is willing to accept any extremity to be near the woman he loves even if he can never be her lover. He is noble, good, and bold. His most admirable act is volunteering to follow his rival, Warbeck, in order to protect the woman he loves, Katherine, who is Warbeck's wife.

Huntly is the disappointed character one expects to find in Ford. He is Katherine's father and hopes to marry her to the noble Dalyell. His plans are undermined by the Scots king when James IV gives her to the pretender Warbeck. He must against his own will abjure his daughter to keep his honor. He is reconciled to the noble young woman when he witnesses her fidelity after her husband is captured.

Frion was once secretary to Henry VII in French affairs. He becomes secretary to Warbeck in the pretender's rebellion. He is all that remains of the Renaissance drama Machiavell by Ford's time. He is relegated to an interesting but subservient role in the play. He is the first follower captured during Warbeck's flight to Cornwall and has little effect on the play's outcome.

John-a-Water is one of four servants that represent all that is left of the foolish servant / courtier by Ford's day. He offers some slight amusement and an opportunity for other characters to inform the audience, by informing them, what is occurring. He is relegated to an unimportant role and is cheered on by his lord, Warbeck, as he is led to the scaffold at play's end.

Heron is one of four servants that represent all that is left of the foolish servant / courtier by Ford's day. He offers some slight amusement and an opportunity for other characters to inform the audience, by informing them, what is occurring. He is relegated to an unimportant role and is cheered on by his lord, Warbeck, as he is led to the scaffold at play's end.

Skelton is one of four servants that represent all that is left of the foolish servant / courtier by Ford's day. He offers some slight amusement and an opportunity for other characters to inform the audience, by informing them, what is occurring. He is relegated to an unimportant role and is cheered on by his lord, Warbeck, as he is led to the scaffold at play's end.

Astley is one of four servants that represent all that is left of the foolish servant / courtier by Ford's day. He offers some slight amusement and an opportunity for other characters to inform the audience, by informing them, what is occurring. He is relegated to an unimportant role and is cheered on by his lord, Warbeck, as he is led to the scaffold at play's end.

Lady Katherine Gordon is the typical Ford heroine. She is wholly virtuous in her commitment to marriage. She will not break her vows even in extremis. Her father wishes her to marry noble Dalyell, but the king, James IV, gives her to the pretender Warbeck instead. The wedding to the pretender forces Katherine's father, Huntly, to disown her. She redeems herself in her father's eyes when she demonstrates constancy to her husband even after he has been captured and placed in the stocks. She may be favorably compared to Ford's Penthea, Calantha, and to a lesser degree Annabella.

Daubeney, a lord who becomes Lord Chamberlain when Stanley is executed for treason. He and Oxford act as Greek chorus, discussing events for the benefit of the audience. It is Daubeney who ultimately captures the pretender Warbeck and brings him to the king.

Sir William Stanley is Henry VII's lord chamberlain. He had saved the king's life at Bosworth Field and had personally crowned Henry Tudor at his coronation. When Clifford arrives to inform Henry of Warbeck's spies in Henry's court, Stanley proves to be a traitor. Though Stanley is sentenced to the block, Henry refuses to watch the execution of his friend. Stanley prays for Henry's success before he dies.

Oxford brings news that the Cornish revolt has been quelled. With Cornwall at peace, the king can turn his attentions to the threat from the pretender in Scotland. He and Daubeney act as a Greek chorus, discussing events for the audience. It is Oxford who extends the hospitality of the king to Katherine and Dalyell.

Surrey. The Earl of Surrey is the champion of Norham whom James IV challenges to single combat. Instead of fighting, however, Surrey (instructed by Durham) uses the opportunity to create a treaty of peace between Scotland and England and thus undermine the Warbeck's support.

Durham. Richard Fox, Bishop of Durham, refuses King James IV's order to accept the "true" king of England at Norham. When James offers single combat with Surrey, Durham seizes the opportunity and instructs Surrey to enter into treaty with the Scots king. He later meets with James and (along with Hialas) concludes an agreement for James to marry Margaret, Henry VII's daughter.

Urswick is Henry VII's chaplain. He advises Clifford to speak truth to Henry VII and taste his clemency.

Sir Robert Clifford was once in league with the pretender. He switches alliance and comes into Henry VII's camp. There he betrays the spies in Henry's court. They include Henry's best friend, Lord Chamberlain Stanley. Clifford's information is acted upon, but Clifford is sent to virtual prison in his own home.

Margaret of Burgundy sends the pretender to Scotland with her full assurance that he is who he claims to be. She does not appear in the play in her own person.

Margaret Tudor is used to lure James IV back to Henry's side. By marrying her to the Scots king, Henry VII undermines the pretender Warbeck's Scottish support. Margaret does not appear in the play in her own person.

Lambert Simnel, a falconer. He once tried to gain control of England by pretending that he was Earl of Warwick. He was caught and confessed and tasted the king's clemency. He is brought to the pretender Warbeck in the Tower to convince him to confess and win the king's pardon.

Hialas is a Spanish ambassador. He acts as mediator between England and Scotland. He arranges the marriage between Henry VII's son, Arthur, and the Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon and thus creates a strong alliance between England and Spain. It is Hialas who patches up the difficulties by carrying the news to James IV that Henry VII will give him his daughter, Margaret. The alliance is made and Warbeck is sent out of Scotland.

Clarence, third son of Edward IV, brother of Henry VII's wife, Elizabeth of York, and also of the murdered "little princes" Edward V and Richard of York. Henry VII makes him Earl of Warwick.

The Countess of Crawford is a friend of Katherine's. She hopes that the pretender Warbeck is not a counterfeit and joins Katherine in admiring the young man.

Jane is a friend of Katherine's. She is with her when they first see the pretender Warbeck.

Crawford is first seen entertaining the pretender. He doubts the pretender along with Dalyell and Huntly. He calls Warbeck a "dukeling mushroom" and fears that he has charmed James IV.

Marchmount, a herald from James IV. He carries the challenge of single combat from his king to Surrey.

It is almost a direct continuation of Shakespeare's history cycle ending with Richard III.

Unlike earlier history plays, Perkin Warbeck does not concern itself as much with problems of power and the examination of majesty as it does with the domestic tragedy of Perkin and Katherine and the personal history of the pretender.

The play's structure is worthy of notice. It alternates its scenes in the first two acts between England and Scotland. Not until James invades England and arrives at Norham do two consecutive scenes occur in the same country. The disruption of the war, therefore, is reflected in the disruption of the scene progression.

Lambert Simnel, who is met in passing in the course of the play, had actually been crowned "Edward VI" by his followers. His followers met Henry's troops at Stoke Field in 1487 where they were not only routed but largely slaughtered. In an attempt to escape to the river, many men were killed in an alley that has since come to be known as "Red Gutter." Simnel was taken alive and placed to work in Henry's kitchens, where he made a good cook. He later became falconer, as he is represented in this play. He outlived most of his co-conspirators and even outlived Henry VII, becoming servant to one of his ministers after the king's death.

Preston's Cambises for the earliest such play to compare with this, the latest.