House of Lancaster

English RoyaltyHouse of Lancaster
Armorial of Plantagenet Henry IV Henry V John, Duke of Bedford Thomas, Duke of Clarence Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester Henry V Henry VI Henry VI Edward, Princes of Wales

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The House of Lancaster was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet. It was one of the opposing factions involved in the Wars of the Roses, an intermittent civil war which affected England and Wales during the 15th century. The House is named Lancaster, because its members were all descended from Edward III's son John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster; their symbol was a Red Rose of Lancaster.

The opponents of the House of Lancaster were the House of York. The rivalry between Lancaster and York, in the form of the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, has continued into the present day, on a more friendly basis. For example, the annual sporting competition between Lancaster University and the University of York is called the Roses Tournament.

The end of the House of Lancaster occurred at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. However, the House of Tudor, which ruled England from 1485 to 1603, was descended from the Lancasters by way of Margaret Beaufort, great granddaughter of John of Gaunt, who married Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, and was the mother of Henry VII of England. Henry VII cemented his claim to the throne by marrying Elizabeth of York the heir to the Yorkist line. Their children and grandchildren became the House of Tudor and their great grandson was the first king of England belonging to the House of Stuart, King James VI of Scotland