The whole contention (1619) The Third quarto, 1619.

They form the basis of Shakespeare's Henry VI, pt. 2 and 3. The authorship and their relation to his version are much disputed. For discussion see the prefaces to the reprints of the first quartos, no. 37-38 in the same series.

The two parts had first appeared separately (and anonymously) in 1594 and 1595, under titles "The First part of the Contention betwixt the two famous Houses of Yorke and Lancaster," and "The true Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke ..."

The printer's device is one used by William Jaggard, printer of the first folio Shakespeare.

The original was issued in one volume with title (here reproduced): The // Whole Contention // betweene the two Famous // Houses, Lancaster and // Yorke. // With the Tragicall ends of the good Duke // Humfrey, Richard Duke of Yorke, // and King Henrie the // sixt. // Diuided into two Parts: And newly corrected and // enlarged. Written by William Shakespeare, Gent. // [Printer's device] Printed at London for T. P. [i. e. Thomas Pavier]

Collation: pt. I: xii, 64 p.; pt. II: viii, 64 p.

Mode of access: Internet.