SUFFOLK, DUKE OF

nobleman in the court of King Henry VI, later lover of the queen, Margaret of Anjou, in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 1 and Henry VI, Part 2. As Margaret's unscrupulous admirer, Suffolk virtually rules England at her side, discrediting or killing all of the queen's opponents, notably Humphrey, duke of Gloucester. His arrogance brings about his death when he underestimates the resolve of Jack Cade's rebels. Historically, there is no evidence that Margaret took the duke of Suffolk as her lover.