In their introduction to the 3rd Arden Henry VI, Part Three, John D. Cox and Eric Rasmussen conclude that ‘the complex relationship between The True Tragedy [of Richard, Duke of York(1595)] and 3 Henry VI [1623] has challenged the ingenuity of readers, student and scholars.’ 1 Some scholars have entertained the view of Samuel Johnson in 1765 that the True Tragedy (henceforth also ‘the Octavo’) was a memorial reconstruction of a performance of the play known in the First Folio as Henry VI, Part Three. Others have entertained theearly view of Edmond Malone that the Octavo was a Shakespeare draft of the Folio play. 2 Yet others have...