Houses of Lancaster and York Family Tree

 

The Houses of Lancaster and York Family Tree below details the descendants of King Edward III that became embroiled in a bitter rivalry for the crown known as the Wars of the Roses. Both houses were cadet branches of the House of Plantagenet.

Kings of England are shown in blue with those that belong to the House of Lancaster marked with a red rose. Those that belong to the House of York are shown with a white rose. Direct descendants of both Houses are capitalized in black with appropriate coloured rose, while spouses are shown in black and lower case.

 

What is the House of Lancaster?

The House of Lancaster was a cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet that ruled England from 1154 – 1485. It was founded by John of Gaunt, the fourth son of King Edward III, who acquired the title Duke of Lancaster through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster, a wealthy heiress.

The red rose was first used as an emblem by Edmund, son of Henry III, in August 1265. He had been created the first earl of Lancaster by his father. It is believed that the species he chose was Rosa Gallica, a cultivated rose. Subsequent earls of Lancaster kept the emblem but it did not form any part of their livery or flag.

 

What is the House of York?

The House of York was another cadet branch of the House of Plantagenet. It was founded by Edmund of Langley  that ruled England from 1154 – 1485. It was founded by Edmund of Langley, the fifth son of King Edward III, who was created the first Duke of York by his father.

Edmund had been created first duke of York in August 1385 and chose the the white rose as emblem soon afterwards. It is believed that it was chosen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary who was known as the Mystical Rose.

 

History of the Wars of the Roses

The Wars of the Roses is the name given to power struggle fought between the members of the House of Lancaster and the House of York.  It was called the Wars of the Roses because both houses were represented by roses. 

Following the death of King Edward III in 1377, his grandson, Richard, aged 10 years became King Richard II. Richard was a minor so his uncle, John of Gaunt, acted as regent. In 1382 Richard began to take over the rule of England with advisers but he often ignored their advice and made unpopular decisions. 

In February 1399, Richard’s uncle, John of Gaunt, died. Richard had exiled John of Gaunt’s son, Henry the previous year and now confiscated his inheritance. In the summer of 1399, while Richard was campaigning in Ireland, Henry returned to England, ostensibly to reclaim his lands. However, he quickly gained support from discontented nobles and the public.

Henry IV ruled the country without opposition until he died in 1413. He was succeeded by his popular son, Henry V, however, he died unexpectedly in 1422, leaving his nine-month son as King of England. Henry V’s brothers acted as regents for the infant Henry VI. As Henry became older it became clear that he was a weak ruler, easily influenced by nobles and his wife.

In 1453 King Henry VI suffered the first of many mental breakdowns and was declared unfit to rule. Lancastrian Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, took control of the country with the support of Henry’s wife, Margaret of Anjou. However, Richard Duke of York, son of Anne Mortimer and Richard of Conisburgh, believed that he should be regent as his place in the line of succession was higher than that of Somerset.

Richard Duke of York supported by Richard Neville began raising troops against the king and Somerset in a challenge to Henry VI’s place on thee throne. The first battle of the Wars of the Roses took place at St Albans on 22nd May 1455. 

Richard of York did not succeed in toppling Henry VI, but his son, Edward defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton in 1461 and became King Edward IV. When he died his son succeeded as King Edward V but after he was declared illegitimate, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Edward V’s uncle, took the throne as King Richard III in 1483.

The sole remaining Lancastrian claimant to the throne was Henry Tudor, son of Margaret Beaufort and Edmund Tudor. He invaded in 1485 and defeated Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field in August 1485.

Henry married Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV bringing the two rival houses together and ending the Wars of the Roses. Henry VII was the first King of the House of Tudor.

 

Complete list of  House of Lancaster
Kings of England

King Henry IV
ruled 1399 – 1413
King Henry V
ruled 1413 – 1422
King Henry VI
ruled 1422 – 1461, 1470 – 1471

Complete list of  House of York
Kings of England

King Edward IV
ruled 1461 – 1470. 1471 – 1483
King Edward V
1483
King Richard III
ruled 1483 – 1485

 

Published Dec 31 2024  – Updated – Dec 31 2024