CLARENCE, GEORGE, DUKE OF

brother of Edward IV, formerly earl of March, and of Richard III, formerly duke of Gloucester, in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 3 and Richard III. Clarence fights well in the Yorkist cause in Henry VI, Part 3, but he opposes the marriage of Edward to Elizabeth, Lady Grey, and switches briefly to the Lancastrian side after marrying the earl of Warwick's daughter. His arrest and assassination by drowning in a barrel of Malmsey wine are early proof of Richard's total ruthlessness and power over Edward, who is tricked into believing that Clarence is a threat to him.